Holland Christian Schools

Category: School Newsletters

  • High School Newsletter – September 2026

    High School Newsletter – September 2026

    “His Love Endures Forever” (Psalm 136)  

    For 125 years, God has been faithful to our school and to the generations of students, families, faculty, and staff who have been part of its story. As we celebrate this special anniversary, we have chosen the words, “His love endures forever” from Psalm 136 as our theme verse for the year. Through seasons of change, challenge, growth, and celebration, His love has remained constant. We are grateful for the foundation laid by those who came before us, thankful for the opportunity to serve students today, and excited to see how God will continue to lead our school into the future. 125 years of His faithfulness is something to celebrate! Our incoming Freshman will be the first class to graduate in the decade of 2030!!!  As a staff we are full of gratitude and excitement as we welcome both returning families and those joining us for the first time. Our prayer is that each and every day we can bring the mission of HC to life as we strive to “Equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.”

    As we step into the next chapter of our story the following new Staff members will be joining the HC family!

    • Mr. Garrit DeVries: Spanish Teacher
    • Mr. Noah Hayes: Social Studies and Unified PE Teacher
    • Mr. Cody Hinkle: Hebrew Teacher

    We are very excited to welcome each of them and look forward to the ways they will enrich our school community.

    To help students and their families stay informed during the year daily announcements are sent every day to both parents and students.  Please encourage your student to read them carefully. They provide important, timely information that will help your child have a successful school year.

    Thank you for your ongoing support and your commitment to making Holland Christian a place where God is known, each individual finds belonging and lives are transformed.

    Asking God’s blessing for the next 125 years!

    Deb Feenstra, HCHS Principal

    Announcements

    Dress Code

    Parents and students, we have spent a fair amount of time dealing with dress code issues in the first two weeks of school, especially with crop tops showing midriffs. Please take a moment as a family to read together the dress code policy listed below from our student handbook. Thank you for your cooperation:

    In keeping with the mission of Holland Christian Schools, the Holland Christian School community recognizes the important impact of student dress on the learning environment. We understand that all of our lives, including our dress, bring honor or dishonor to our God. We also embrace our identity as a Christian school and how we dress impacts our witness for Christ to the world. While these principles impact our most basic commitments regarding dress there is more to which we would challenge the HC community.

    • No hats, hoods, earbuds, AirPods, or sunglasses are allowed during school hours. Teacher discretion may be used in class based on class activity.
    • Clothing or accessories depicting alcohol, tobacco, sexual or offensive language should not be worn at school.
    • Clothing and accessories that can be considered political or divisive in nature are not allowed, instead, Holland Christian is committed to providing venues for safe and meaningful discussion.
    • Shirts, shorts, and dresses must be modest and cover what they are supposed to cover.
    • The administration reserves the right to determine what constitutes appropriate dress. Students who do not adhere to these guidelines will not be allowed to attend class. Parents will be called if appropriate clothing is not available or the student refuses dress-code-appropriate clothing.

    Parking Permits

    All students who drive to school are required to display a parking permit on their vehicle. They are available at no charge in the high school office.

    Security System at HCHS

    Just a reminder that we have an intercom/buzz-in system at HCHS. All of the Holland Christian School campuses have such a system. The doors to the main high school entrance (Entrance A) are locked and you will need to press the intercom button located to the right of the doors to speak to one of the office personnel who will let you in. Parents may drop off items for their students in the office, and visitors who are going to be in the building must sign in the visitor log and wear a guest badge. Thanks for your cooperation with these important safety protocols.

    High School Daily Announcements

    Announcements are also posted daily on the website.

    Student Handbook Updates

    Parents and students, please take some time to read through the HCHS Student Handbook. Make sure you are familiar with the attendance policy and the personal technology policy.

    Student Medical Information and Forms

    If your student has any medical situation that the school office should be aware of or has any medication that needs to be kept in the office, the appropriate forms need to be filled out each school year and kept on file in the office. Please make sure all information is current so that we can help keep your child safe and keep the necessary medications here. All the forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms page of our website. If you have any questions please email Lindsey Prentice, lprentice@hollandhospital.org, manager of the Holland Hospital School Nurse Program.

    Parent Night

    We will be hosting our annual Parent Night on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:30pm at the high school. This will be an opportunity for you to meet the HCHS staff and learn more about how we will live into our district mission of “Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ.” Parents will begin in the auditorium and follow their student’s “Friday Schedule” for the remainder of the evening. Please add this event to your calendar and make it a priority to attend.

    Senior Picture Information

    Here are some details on senior pictures. The deadline for senior pictures is Tuesday, September 29, 2026.

    Counselors’ Corner

    The 26-27 school year is off to a great start. We are committed to building relationships with our students and we look forward to connecting with each student individually over the course of this school year.

    The counseling department assigns students to counselors alphabetically by last name:

    • A – J: Mrs. Sara Christner
    • K – Z: Mr. Dave DeBlecourt 

    Information for Seniors

    All seniors will have an individual check-in with their counselor in September or early October. Regardless of the desired outcome–career, college, or another option–we are here to help, support, and encourage seniors as they think about and plan for life after high school. Application timelines and due dates vary by school, so we encourage college-bound seniors to work toward completing and submitting applications by early November. This ensures maximum consideration for financial aid and scholarships, as well. We will assist non-college-bound seniors in the exploration of career options and help them find information on job and trade-specific training.

    We plan to hold a “Planning for life after high school” session with all seniors on September 2 during Family Flex. In this session, we will cover a timeline of things seniors can be doing throughout the school year, including the college application process. Seniors will also be invited to sign up for Common Application workshops coming up later this month.

    All requests for transcripts are done through Parchment. Seniors were invited (via an email from Parchment) to complete their account set up in June and several times since then. Transcripts are only sent when a request is initiated through the student’s Parchment account. Questions about Parchment can be directed to the counseling office.

    Scholarships

    Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department portion of the website. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, will be updated as we receive notices of scholarship opportunities. This will include scholarships available through Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland that are open to Holland Christian students and also information about internal HC scholarships, which are available to full-time Holland Christian students only.

    College Representative Visits

    We keep a listing of college reps holding visits at HCHS linked here, that can also be found on the Counseling Department page. This list grows throughout the fall.

    FAFSA Night

    A college representative will be hosting a virtual workshop for HCHS parents on September 16th at 6pm to share information about filling out the FAFSA and other financial aid opportunities. More details, including a link to the meeting, will be emailed out to parents of juniors and seniors.

    Testing Information

    • Upcoming SAT test dates are September 26, October 3, November 7 & December 5. HCHS is a testing site for these dates. To register for the SAT.
    • Upcoming ACT dates and test sites can be found on ACT website. Holland Christian is not a testing site for the ACT this year.
    • Test Preparation: There are free resources for SAT test preparation. There are also free resources available for ACT test preparation.
    • PSAT: This test is a precursor to the SAT. It provides excellent practice for subsequent standardized tests and can provide valuable test preparation feedback and tools. The junior year is the only year a score is considered for the National Merit Scholarship consideration.

    The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered during the school day on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 starting at 8:00 am for those who have signed up.  Juniors who wish to take the PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Qualifying Test) need to register and pay the $25 fee by Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm. Registration and payment for this is done on Total Registration.  All freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT and Juniors will take the SAT during the school day on March 17, 2027. There will be no fee charged to students, and they will register through school.

    Athletics

    The 2026 CHAMPS Book will be the last year for this coupon book fundraiser.  Please help us deplete our inventory by purchasing a 2026 coupon book at the reduced price of $15 in support of our athletes!  The coupons are good through December 31 and available at school offices, Russ’ Restaurants and Quality Car Wash locations.

    Pay to participate for high school athletes is $110/season. Families should pay the fee through their Final Forms account for their child. Pay to participate is set to $105.77 in Final Forms so the total cost with fees is $110.

    Homecoming

    Celebrate 125 years of HC with us! Bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled Homecoming celebration featuring food, games, a dunk tank, an Alumni Legacy Lawn, and more. Stay for the Homecoming football game against Thornapple Kellogg and an interactive halftime show that you WON’T want to miss. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous underwriter, this year’s event is FREE for the HC Community with registration. Please register here by September 12 so we can plan for food and prepare your meal tickets in advance. Meal tickets will be available for pickup prior or at the event for those who sign up in advance. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

    Important Dates

    26-27 Holland Christian Calendar

    September

    • 4 & 7: No School, Labor Day break
    • 8: Parent Night at the HS 6:30-8:30pm
    • 10: Picture make-up day
    • 16: College Financial Aid Seminar 6pm
    • 19: Homecoming Dance
    • 29: Senior picture deadline

    October

    • 1: Parent/Teacher conferences 5:30-8:30pm
    • 8: Parent/Teacher conferences 3:30-6:30pm
    • 12: Picture retakes at HS
    • 14: No school: Staff development
    • 15 & 16: No School, Great Lakes Unity Conference, staff development
    • 15 & 16: All Tech Center students must attend Tech Center
  • South Side Newsletter – September 2026

    South Side Newsletter – September 2026

    We spent much of the summer moving, unpacking, and setting up the Longfellow building. But something changed on August 25 and 26—your children entered the space. They brought stories of missing teeth, trips to the pool, and the delicious snacks packed in their lunches. They arrived with smiles and laughter, sometimes a few tears, and boundless energy. Suddenly, the halls were filled with singing, stories, joy, and life.

    As I reflect on those first few days, all I can say is: To God be the glory. May God be glorified in the small moments gathered around a story, in the praise songs and dancing during devotions, in the tiny creations made and the big games played. One of our anchor discipleship flags is God Glorifying. We desire to glorify God in all that we do and say at South Side. Your children remind me each day of the joy, wonder, and beauty of God’s creation, and they help me praise His name. To God be the glory!

    Christy Haig, South Side Principal





    Announcements

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3535 any time before 8:30am to let us know each day when your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail at any time, and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. If you’d prefer to send an email, please email Rachel Steen. Please be sure to mention symptoms your child is experiencing (fever, vomiting, headache, cough, etc.), as we need this information to submit our weekly health report. Thank you for your help!

    Picture Day

    South Side’s picture day is Wednesday, September 30. Once we receive the order forms from GPI, we will send them home with students. If you have multiple children at Holland Christian, please remember that order forms are student-specific. If you are planning to order a yearbook, be sure to check that box on your order form.

    Medications at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school, we need an updated form signed by the physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so as soon as possible. You are welcome to email Lindsey Prentice, our school nurse, if you have any questions. Holland Christian medical forms can be found on our Medical Information & Forms page. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication (whether prescription or non-prescription) to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you!

    Student Life and Discipleship

    At South Side we talk every day about being South Side Stars. We frame these conversations with students around three targets:

    • Self: “Control myself”
    • Servant: “Think about others”
    • Stuff: “Take care of our stuff”

    As you child to show you the motions that go along with each of these.

    Student Safety

    After student drop-off, all external school doors are locked for your students’ safety. All students who arrive late for school must arrive through the main front door by buzzing in to the school secretary, and check in at the school office. Parents are asked to sign children in and out at the school office if they are coming or going any time within the normal school hours.

    Save the Date

    Parent Partners is planning a fun night of skating for South Side students and their families on Monday, November 9.  More details to come.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    September

    • 4: No school
    • 7: No school/Labor Day
    • 12: Fall Kids Stuff Resale: HCHS 9am-12pm
    • 18: Holland Christian Homecoming
    • 23:Walkathon
    • 30: PreK-2nd, HC2 Picture Day

    October

    • 7: Grandparents Day
    • 8: Parent Teacher Conferences (full time Young Fives-2nd)
    • 12:  Parent Teacher Conferences (full time Young Fives- 2nd)
    • 14-16: No school: CEA Convention
  • Rose Park Newsletter: September 2026

    Rose Park Newsletter: September 2026

    Rose Park Families,

    What a joy it is to have your children back at school! It has been a fantastic first few days, and it is wonderful to see your children settling into their new classrooms, spaces, and routines. There is such excitement in the building as we begin a new year together!

    The beginning of a school year is a time for learning and practicing. We are practicing not only academics, but also how we live and learn together. We spend time reviewing routines and expectations so that everyone knows how to navigate our new spaces, care for one another, and be a positive part of our school community. These small daily practices help create a place where every child can learn, grow, and flourish.

    One of Holland Christian’s discipleship practices is God Glorifying, and it is a meaningful one to focus on as we begin the year. We want to be people who glorify God in all we do—in our words and actions, as we worship, play, learn, and grow in relationship with one another. What a beautiful opportunity we have to encourage our children to see that even the ordinary moments of a school day can be ways to honor and reflect God!

    Blessings to each of you,

    Katelyn Roskamp

    Announcements

    Walkathon

    What is Walkathon? Walkathon is an HC-wide fundraiser where elementary students walk to raise money for their school. The funds raised by Rose Park students go directly to Rose Park needs. These needs include classroom supplies, educational outings, and other resources. Last year’s donations helped contribute to updates to our greenhouse, barn maintenance, teacher appreciation and support. Parents are welcome to watch the event from the bleachers, while the track is reserved for teachersand students.

    Walkathon forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack soon and are due back by Thursday, September 17. The Walkathon event will take place on Wednesday, September 23. Thank you for support to keep Rose Park thriving!

    Convocation

    Our WHOLE HC community will come together in the high school gym to worship, celebrate and reflect on the rich blessings God has granted us THIS year and the past 125 years! What a joy to see our three-year-olds worshiping right along with our BIG high school seniors. This all school worship will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:30am!

    Grandparents Day

    Please invite your child’s grandparents and special friends to a special morning at Rose Park on Thursday, October 1! We’re planning a beautiful celebration of the love and support that enriches our students’ lives. Watch your classroom teacher’s blog for a detailed schedule coming soon. We’re excited to open our doors and hearts in joyful gathering as we thank God for His blessings through the people who care for us.

    Save the Date for our Rose Park Fall Festival

    Put it on your calendar for Thursday, September 24 from 5:30-7pm. Our parent board is planning some fun activities for your family to enjoy, meet new friends, and celebrate our beautiful playscape and ranch. Please register on our Fall Fest page.

    Weekend Ranch Hands

    If your family loves animals, Rose Park, and might have a few free minutes on the weekends to stop by and do barn chores we would love to teach you our procedures and put you into our weekend rotation! If this is something of interest to you or you want to learn more, please e-mail Ms. Roskamp at kroskamp@hollandchristian.org.

    Before & After School Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

    We ask that you adhere to the following traffic policies for drop-off and pick-up as specified. We appreciate your cooperation and doing your part to keep our children entering and exiting school safely each day. Just a friendly reminder to use your hazard l

    ights to notify staff if you are still waiting on your child(ren).

    Picture Day

    For those of you planning ahead, Rose Park’s picture day is September 16 and 17. Order forms will be sent home with your student soon. If you are ordering a yearbook this will be the time to do that also. The class photo schedule can be viewed here.

    Food Services

    To deposit money into your child’s lunch account or to apply for free/reduced lunch benefits, please go to Family Portal. If you have any questions, please email Sue Lambers.

    Medication at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school, we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so ASAP. The medication forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms Page for your convenience. You are welcome to contact our school nurse, Lindsey Prentice, who will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication (prescription or non-prescription) to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you! 

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.4055 any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. You may also email the office, and please include a short explanation of their symptoms.

    Student Safety

    After the school day is underway, all doors will be locked for students’ safety. All students who arrive late for school must stop in the school office. Parents are asked to sign children in and out at the school office if they are coming or going any time within the normal school hours.

    Powerschool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful. If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    Please update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply log in, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Moms in Prayer

    Our Rose Park Moms in Prayer group will begin meeting again this fall, and we would love to have you join us on Wednesdays mornings in the conference room.  Prayer will start at 8:30, but feel free to come at 8:15 for some social time!

    Important Website Links:

    Upcoming Dates:

    September

    • 4: No school
    • 7: No school–Labor Day
    • 9: Convocation 9:30am
    • 16 & 17: School pictures
    • 17: Walkathon packets due back
    • 23: Walkathon
    • 24: Fall Fest 5:30-7pm

    October

    • 1: Grandparents Day
    • 8: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
    • 12: Parent Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
    • 21: Picure Retakes
  • Forest School Newsletter: September 2026

    Forest School Newsletter: September 2026

    Dear Forest Families,

    Thank you for all of your support, prayers, feedback and commitment at the start of this new school year. Together we are grateful for a smooth launch to all that God has in store for us together in 26-27! It is an absolute JOY to have our learning spaces filled with the LIFE your children bring to us! I pray that our relationship continues to be marked in truth, respect, care and love.

    Speaking of caring for one another, I have a unique request to share with you again this year as we’re building habits this school year. As a community, we deeply appreciate our teachers and all they do to pour into the lives of our children. It’s a tall task they’re engaged in and they each serve so faithfully. The calling of teaching has changed dramatically in the digital era. You, as parents, and I, as their administrator, can access our teachers’ attention around the clock, seven days a week if we so desire. Teachers do work evenings and weekends. However, a full inbox, particularly on a Sunday, means our dedicated teachers may not be able to celebrate the God-given gift of restoration and rejuvenation on the Sabbath.

    My request to you: Could we all commit to messaging our teachers when necessary using the “schedule send” feature when we’re thinking of something or raising a need in the off hours? If we all limit our communication to their working day, utilizing schedule send in the off hours, we’ll be able, together, to allow teachers to enjoy tech-free moments in the evenings and particularly on Sundays. If and when you have an imminent need on a particular topic, would you please message me at mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org? I will help as I am able and then, together, we’ll connect with our teacher at the appropriate time.

    All joy and thanksgiving,

    Miska

    Many email accounts and text messaging feature the ‘schedule send’ option you see in the lower lefthand corner. Let’s commit together to honoring our teachers’ healthy work/life balance by keeping to their working hours for messages as much as possible. Thank you!
    Come visit our Forest for a nice cup of dark (only mildly gritty) coffee in the morning!

    Or enjoy a walnut, feather pie!


    We’re overjoyed to have our Forest Kids back!

    Announcements

    Walkathon

    What is Walkathon? Walkathon is an HC-wide fundraiser in which elementary students walk to raise money for their school. The funds raised by Young 5s-2nd grade Forest School students go directly to Forest School needs. These needs include classroom supplies, educational outings, and other resources. Parents are welcome to watch the event from the bleachers, while the track is reserved for teachers and students.

    Walkathon forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack soon and are due back by Wednesday, September 17. The Walkathon event will take place at on Wednesday, September 23. Thank you for helping to keep our Forest School thriving!

    Picture Day

    School Picture Days Are Coming! 

    • Kindergarten and 1st graders will have school pictures taken in the middle school on September 10.
    • Young 5s and 2nd graders will have pictures taken in Pine Ridge on September 24.

    Convocation

    Our WHOLE HC community will come together in the high school gym to worship, celebrate and reflect on the rich blessings God has granted us THIS year and the past 125 years! What a joy to see our three-year-olds worshiping right along with our BIG high school seniors. This all school worship will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:30!

    Parent Teacher Conferences

    Parent teacher conferences will be October 8 and 12. More information will be coming later this month.

    Welcome Walk (current families: check out ALL of our school options for your child!)

    At Holland Christian, we believe that choosing a school is about more than academics, it is about finding a community where children are known, loved, and encouraged to grow in faith, wonder, and learning. The Welcome Walk is designed to give families an authentic glimpse into the heart of our school.

    Through this interactive experience, families are invited to explore classrooms alongside their children, meet the teachers who will guide and nurture them, and experience the culture that shapes daily life within our school community. As families move through the building/playscape, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with staff, they gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to Christ-centered learning, meaningful relationships, and joyful discovery.

    Time: 2:15 – 3:00pm

    • Monday, November 9 – Forest School: Cedar Creek
    • Thursday, November 12 – Forest School: Cabins
    • Monday, November 16 – Rose Park
    • Thursday, November 19 – South Side

    Open to ALL families at ALL of our campuses to explore any campus you’re curious about. Parents and children walk the campus open house style and meet with teachers to help guide decision making for enrollment next year.

    Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 26-27

    Thank you so much for all the forms and paperwork you have turned in. If you have any questions, please email the office!

    Food Services

    Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s lunch account. If you do NOT have a family portal account set up, you will need your student’s ID number. Please email Sue for your student ID number. There is no fee to deposit money into your child’s account with a debit or credit card.

    Pine Ridge/2nd Grade Forest School Car Line Reminders:

    • Always use the Graafscaap Road/60th Street entrance and exit please!
    • Always pull ALL THE WAY up to the bike racks (or the car in front of you).
    • Never stop in the traffic circle. This is for buses AND in cases of emergency.
    • Parent pickup is in front of school; it is not at the baseball fields.
    • Please use your hazard lights at pickup and leave them on until your student is in the car.

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email the office any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please leave any symptoms your sick child may have; this information is a requirement for us to report to the county!

    Elementary Handbook

    The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, etc.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    September

    • 7: No school Labor Day
    • 10: K & 1st Picture Day
    • 24: 2nd grade Picture Day
    • 23: Walkathon

    October

    • 4: Y5s & 2nd grade picture retakes
    • 8: Parent teacher conferences
    • 12:Parent teacher conferences
    • 12: K & 1st picture retakes
    • 14-16: No school: Great Lakes Unity Conference for Professional Learning
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: September 2026

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: September 2026

    It’s so good to be back! There was such a fun buzz in the building on the first week of school. Students greeting each other, friends embracing and even some belly laughs over a fun picture, interesting story or surprise. It is hard to miss the goodness of God amidst all of that. We were able to gather together at our very first chapel and experience worship together while we reflected on our 125 year anniversary as a school. God is faithful and his love endures forever–what an amazing way to celebrate! As I dream for this year, my hope is that we can witness the glory of God together and share in our experiences.

    Blessings on a wonderful year!
    Mrs. Dinah Periera




    Announcements

    Walkathon

    What is Walkathon? Walkathon is an HC-wide fundraiser where elementary students walk to raise money for their school. The funds raised by Pine Ridge students go directly to Pine Ridge needs, such as classroom supplies, educational outings, and other resources. Parents are welcome to watch the event from the bleachers, while the track is reserved for teachers and students.

    Walkathon forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack soon and are due back by Wednesday, September 16. The Walkathon event will take place on Wednesday, September 23.

    Picture Day

    Pine Ridge picture day is September 24. Order forms will be sent home with students soon. If your student would like a yearbook in the spring, this will be the time to choose that also. Please note that each form is child specific so please make sure each child has their own form. All forms must be turned in regardless of if you choose to order pictures and/or a yearbook.

    Grandparent & Grandfriend Day

    Save the date: Wednesday, October 7th in the morning! More details will be coming later this month.

    Skating Party

    Pine Ridge’s Parent Partners are putting together a skating party for Pine Ridge students on November 2nd. More details to follow!

    Parent Teacher Conferences

    PT Conferences will be held on October 8 and 12. Please look for an email coming from the administration office with how to sign up for these. Also, please remember to note the times you sign up for; the office does not have access to teacher schedules.

    Student Life & Discipleship Practices

    I am always so grateful to work and send my children to a place that emphasizes not only academics but also partners with us to create disciples of Jesus. Our discipleship practices: Word rooted, God glorifying, beauty creating, image reflecting, wisdom seeking, kingdom bringing, creation keeping, community growing, grace breathing, servant living and order discovering all speak to how we live a life following Jesus. At Pine Ridge we will work together to help kids see those practices in themselves and others. When they struggle, as we all do at times we will walk alongside them and firmly but gently help them to refocus.

    This year you will hear these discipleship practices and our PR expectations go hand in hand. They are meant to help keep things simple and yet rooted in how the Word asks us to live. As a reward for going above and beyond our PR expectations, students will earn tickets. Each ticket will be placed into their grade level container to be entered into a raffle to win a small gift card, classroom experience (doughnut holes tend to be a favorite!) or prize from the PR Treasure Chest. The raffle winners will also be recognized in chapel on Monday as a “Spotlight Student” AND have their picture highlighted on the wall to celebrate their going above and beyond. As a school, we hope these fun incentives will build a great sense of community and celebration of each other’s successes.

    One way that you as parents can help support these celebrations is by signing up and providing a few $5 gift cards. You can sign up here and we request that gift cards be brought in by September 3 so we can start celebrating our wonderful Pine Ridge students.

    Thank you for your support and partnership this year!

    Absences

    Please call or email the school office at 616.820.3505 any time before 8:15am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail at any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens.

    Pine Ridge Carpool Line Reminders

    • Always use the Graafscaap Road/60th Street entrance and exit.
    • Always pull ALL THE WAY up to the traffic cone (or the car in front of you).
    • Never stop in the traffic circle. This needs to be clear in case of an emergency as well as for the buses.
    • Parent pickup is in front of school; it is not at the baseball fields.
    • Please use your hazard lights at pickup and leave them on until your student is in the car.

    Moms in Prayer

    Moms in Prayer will be starting back up again this school year on September 5 at Providence Church (across from the middle school) 8:30-9:30am. We look forward to welcoming any moms who would like to partner in prayer for this school year! Please email Nicole Shook for any questions.

    Medications at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school–either prescription or over the counter (including inhalers!)--we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so ASAP. The necessary form is on our Medical Information & Forms page.

    If you have questions, you may also contact Holland Christian’s school nurse, Lindsey Prentice. She will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you!

    Food Services

    For students taking hot lunch, please make sure deposit money into your student’s online portal before they order! If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.

    PowerSchool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful.  If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply login, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Elementary Handbook

    The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, technology policy, etc.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    September:

    • 4: No school: Labor Day
    • 7: No school: Labor Day
    • 8: School resumes
    • 24: School pictures

    October:

    • 7: Grandparent & Grandfriend Day
    • 8: Parent teacher conferences
    • 12: Parent teacher conferences
    • 14-16: No school: CEA Convention
    • 29: Picture retakes
  • Middle School Newsletter: September 2026

    Middle School Newsletter: September 2026

    The middle school year is off to a great start!

    On Wednesday, we had our first chapel, where we talked about building community in our middle school through the story of Zacchaeus. We connected his story to our Student Commitments, which are posted on the wall in the Alley and included in our Student Handbook under “Student Commitments.” Each student will also receive a copy to keep.

    As we begin a new school year, it is important for each of us to focus on building a strong and caring community. Middle school is a place where every student should feel known, valued, included, and cared for. Our Student Commitments give us practical ways to live this out each day—through kindness, forgiveness, honoring the image of God in one another, and looking for opportunities to include others.

    My hope is that these commitments will become more than words on a wall. I pray they will shape the way we treat one another and help make HCMS a community where everyone knows they belong.



    Attached below are some pictures from our 6th grade orientation! One of the highlights of the day was having our 8th grade House Leaders lead the 6th graders around the school on a scavenger hunt. Our House Leaders did a wonderful job welcoming the 6th graders, helping them get acclimated to a new school building, and making them feel at home. It was a great example of our students building community and caring for one another!




    We are looking forward to partnering together for another school year.

    God bless,

    Tom Strikwerda, Principal

    September at HCMS

    Parent Night

    Parent Night is coming up Wednesday, September 2 6:30-7:30. This is an important night for you to meet your child’s teachers, hear their heart and passion for teaching in a Christian School, and learn about what your child will be learning about! This is a great first touch-point in working together in your child’s middle school year.

    MS Chapel

    Middle School Chapel will take place at the high school most Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:15. Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments.

    House System

    Today, 6th graders and new students and staff were put into a house (Dunes, Lake, Lighthouse or Windmill), and now students can earn points for various positive things. We will also have our first house competition–house tug- of-war–on Thursday.

    Parent Team

    Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We will meet once a month on Fridays at 8am, plus a social outing or two. The time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule, although we do hope to have most at each Friday meeting. Heading the team this year is Anita Mulder. Contact her if you are interested in joining! We look forward to a great school year with planning fabulous activities for the kids and teachers!

    Walkathon is September 23! If you are willing to help at the event, please signup to help with the walkathon.

    MAP Testing

    MAP testing at the middle school is coming up! If at all possible, please avoid taking your student out for appointments or vacation during that time. If any testing is missed, it will have to be made up by the end of the testing window, which will result in missing regular class time.

    • Tuesday, September 8 8-10am
    • Tuesday, September 15 8-10am

    On these dates, please help your child remember the following things:

    • Get a good night of sleep
    • Eat a healthy breakfast
    • Charge laptops overnight

    Please email the MS Office with any questions.

    Faces & Our Culture

    This year, Holland Christian will be part of an exciting cultural exchange program with Guatemala, and we are excited to share more about this opportunity with you!

    Faces & Our Cultures is an organization dedicated to empowering students through academic and cultural exchange experiences. Through the program, Guatemalan students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in our community and experience life in the United States for eight enriching weeks. During their stay, our Guatemalan ambassadors will become an active part of the HC community, attending school alongside their peers and participating in school activities.

    Program Dates: Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, December 12.

    We’re currently looking for one volunteer host family to welcome Sofia, one of our ambassadors, this fall. If you are interested in hosting, contact Lucia Viteri who is Faces and our Cultures state coordinator.

    Important Dates

    The full 26-27 school calendar is available here

    September

    • 1: 7th grade vision screening
    • 4: No school Labor Day weekend
    • 7: No school Labor Day
    • 9: Convocation
    • 10: 6th graders to Camp Beechpoint
    • 10: Picture Make-Up Day for students who missed Orientation/Open House
    • 23: Walkathon

    October

    • 1: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
    • 8: Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
    • 12: Picture retakes
    • 14-16: No school: CEA Convention
    • 30: End of quarter 1
  • South Side Newsletter: August 2026

    South Side Newsletter: August 2026

    As we look ahead to an exciting new school year, we are filled with gratitude for God’s faithfulness and all that He has in store for our South Side community. Our renovation project is off to a wonderful start, and it’s exciting to see the transformation already underway! At the same time, we’re settling into our temporary home at Longfellow, where classrooms are coming together and we’re preparing to welcome students with the same joyful, Christ-centered learning environment you know and love. We can’t wait to begin this new adventure with your family!

    Check out the empty playground and classroom at South Side!

    And here are some of our new Longfellow spaces. All that is missing is your kids!

    Blessings,

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    South Side at Longfellow this year

    As you know, our beloved South Side building is going through an exciting renovation. During this time God has provided a wonderful school building for us to use. We will be meeting this year at the Longfellow Elementary building. It is located at 45 E 25th St. We are working at setting everything up and the building is starting to really feel like South Side already.

    Class Lists & School Supplies

    We are so excited to welcome your child back to school! Class lists were sent to your email. If you didn’t receive this communication, please check your spam folder first and then let us know. Here is the list of school supplies for each grade level/class preschool through 2nd grade.

    Play Date

    We have one more summer play date on Wednesday August 12. HC2 families are invited to come and meet together on the playground at Longfellow at 9:30 and all elementary families can come and join them at 10:00.

    Parent Information Night

    This will be a night where just parents come to meet Mrs. Haig and your child’s classroom teacher. You’ll be able to ask more detailed questions about your child’s school and classroom experience.
    Preschool, elementary and our homeschool connection (HC2) program will all host their parent information night on Thursday, August 27 at 5:30pm.

    Ice Cream Social

    On Thursday, August 20, 6-7pm, all preschool, elementary and HC2 students and their families are invited to come together and walk through their classrooms, meet their teachers, find their lockers–all the fun things about starting a new school year! Once your family has had a chance to do that, everyone heads out to the playground to enjoy an ice cream sundae bar and fellowship as a school community.

    Wednesday Morning Late Start

    As we continue partnering with families to provide the best possible learning experience for your child(ren), we’re excited to share a schedule update for this year. All HC campuses will begin classes at 8:30 a.m. each Wednesday, aligning our elementary campuses with the schedule already in place at Holland Christian’s middle and high schools.

    This dedicated time each week will allow teachers to collaborate across grade levels, strengthen curriculum planning, and participate in professional development together—all while reducing interruptions to the school week, such as additional half-days.

    First Days of School

    • Our first day of school is a full day, Tuesday, August 25.
    • 3-day preschool and 3-day young 5s students enjoy their first day on Wednesday, August 26.
    • HC2 students enjoy their first day on Wednesday, August 26.
    • Dismissal will be at 11:15am for AM preschool students and 3:15pm for full-day preschool students and Young 5 – 2nd grade students.

    Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

    We ask that you adhere to the following traffic policies for Drop-Off and Pick-Up as specified. We appreciate your cooperation and doing your part to keep our children entering and exiting school safely each day. Please note that in the mornings the front doors will be locked until 7:50am. With a new location this year, drop-off and pick-up are going to feel a bit different. As we experience it all together, we may need to make some tweaks to ensure that everything is smooth and safe.

    Parent Opportunity

    We have many opportunities for you to partner with us throughout the school year. Right now we are looking for some parents to join our parent partner team. We are also looking for some help and donations to get our playground at Longfellow ready for fun! Click here to sign up or to get more information.

    Picture Day

    For those of you planning ahead, South Side’s picture day is Wednesday, September 30. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you are ordering a yearbook this will be the time to do that also.

    Medication at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school, we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so asap. The medication forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms Page for your convenience. You are welcome to email Lindsey Prentice, our school nurse. She will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication (prescription or non-prescription) to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you!

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3535 any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail at any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens.

    Summer Office Hours

    The South Side office will be open starting August 3 on Mondays-Fridays from 9am-3pm until school starts. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Student Safety

    After the school day is underway, all doors will be locked. All students who arrive late for school must stop in the school office. Parents are asked to sign children in and out at the school office if they are coming or going any time within the normal school hours.

    PowerSchool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful.  If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply login, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Elementary Handbook

    The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, etc.

    Moms In Prayer

    All moms are invited to our weekly meetings of Moms In Prayer. We meet at Providence Church (across from Middle School) on Fridays 8:30-9:30 am starting September 11. Please email Nicole Shook with any questions ncshook@gmail.com
    Would love to have you join us and pray for our students and school this year!

    Community Opportunities

    Click here to see some community opportunities These organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    August

    • 20: PreK-2nd grade Ice Cream Social 6-7pm
    • 25: First day of school
    • 27: Parent Information Night 5:30-6:30pm

    September

    • 4: No school: Labor Day weekend
    • 7: No school: Labor Day
    • 9: All School Convocation
    • 23: Walkathon
    • 30: Preschool-2nd grade: School Pictures

    October

    • 7: Grandparents Day
    • 8: Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • 12: Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • 14-16: CEA Convention: No school
  • Rose Park Newsletter: August 2026

    Rose Park Newsletter: August 2026

    Rose Park Families,

    I hope you’ve enjoyed a fantastic summer! What fun it is to explore all of God’s beautiful creation here in Michigan. From beaches and parks to backyard adventures and special family memories, I hope you’ve had time to soak it all in and enjoy this season together!

    As we’ve turned our calendars to August, we are excited and busy preparing for a wonderful new school year ahead. A new year always brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even a few nerves. I pray that as your children think about moving up to the next grade level or coming to Rose Park for the first time, they quickly find a home here and know just how deeply loved, valued, and cared for they are by our wonderful staff.

    This year is especially meaningful as Holland Christian begins celebrating its 125th year. What a milestone to celebrate together as we reflect on God’s faithfulness through the generations. Our theme this year is His Love Endures Forever, and we are thankful for the truth of those words as we celebrate God’s faithfulness to our school throughout this special year.

    As we look ahead to all that God has in store, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Ice Cream Social on August 20 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. It will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends, meet new families, and visit each classroom as we joyfully kick off another year together!

    Blessings to each of you,

    Katelyn Roskamp

    Announcements

    Back to School Details:

    Please Welcome!

    We are excited to have Grace VanderHill and Yvette Sibley join our staff at Rose Park this year, please read more about them in their bios here!

    Parent Information Night

    We are excited to welcome parents to meet the teachers, ask questions, and get more detailed information for the upcoming school year!

    Please join us on Thursday, August 27 from 6-7:20.

    • 6:00-6:20–Y5 through 2nd grade parents will meet with classroom teachers
    • 6:20-6:50–All parents for an overview with Ms Roskamp
    • 7:00-7:20–preschool and grades 3-5 parents will meet with classroom teachers

    Ice Cream Social

    We are hosting the back to school Ice Cream Social on August 20 from 6-7 pm.  This is a great time for students to see their new classroom, meet their teacher, bring their school supplies, and reunite with friends!

    First Day of School

    Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 25.  It will be a full day with a regular schedule, doors unlock at 7:55 for morning drop off, and the first bell rings to start the day at 8:10!

    Food Services

    To deposit money into your child’s lunch account or to apply for free/reduced lunch benefits, please go to Family Portal. If you have any questions, please email Sue Lambers.

    Enrollment & Medical Paperwork 26-27

    All students entering preschool, kindergarten, and new transfers have a variety of paperwork that needs to be filled out and turned in by August 8, 2025:

    Please be sure your child entering these grades is up to date on all immunizations or see below for non-medical exemptions. These documents are due to the Rose Park office by Wednesday, August 7. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at the administration office on 40th Street.

    Non-Medical Exemptions (Formerly Waivers) Information:

    If your child is a new student coming to HC from a different school district, your old non-medical exemption is invalid, and you will need to schedule an appointment. If your child currently has a non-medical exemption and is returning to Holland Christian for the 26-27 school year and moving from:

    • 3s preschool to 4s preschool: The current non-medical exemption on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the non-medical exemption.
    • 3s/4s preschool to Young 5s: New non-medical exemption needed; please schedule an appointment.
    • 4s preschool to kindergarten or Young 5’s: New non-medical exemption needed; schedule an appointment ASAP at your county health department.
    • Young 5s to Kindergarten: Current non-medical exemption on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the non-medical exemption.

    Medications at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school–either prescription or over the counter (including inhalers!)–we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so ASAP so it is ready by the first day of school. The necessary form is on our Medical Information & Forms page.

    School Pictures

    For those of you really planning ahead, Rose Park picture day is September 16-17. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you plan to order a yearbook, please make sure to do that at the beginning of the year!

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.4055 or email us any time before 8:30 am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please leave any symptoms your sick child may have

    Transportation

    For complete busing details, please visit our Transportation page.

    Student Safety

    After the school day is underway, all doors will be locked. All students who arrive late for school must check in at the front office. This policy also applies to picking a student up from school. Please be sure to inform both your student’s teacher AND the office at rp@hollandchristian.org.

    Powerschool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful. If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply log in, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Moms in Prayer

    Our Rose Park Moms in Prayer group will begin meeting again this fall, and we would love to have you join us on Wednesdays after drop-off in the Rose Park conference room. We meet for about 45 minutes, using Moms in Prayer guides to lead us through adoration, silent confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. We also pray Scripture over our children, as well as the teachers and staff at Rose Park.

    I have been part of this group for the past three years, and it has had a profound impact on my prayer life. Taking time to praise God alongside other women has been such a gift, bringing a renewed perspective even on difficult mornings. It is also an encouragement to have others pray for my children and a privilege to do the same for theirs.

    If you have any questions about Moms in Prayer, please feel free to call or text.

    Amanda DeVries
    (616) 201-7402

    Barn Chores

    We are looking for families who are interested in caring for our animals (2 goats and 3 chickens) on the weekends! If your family would be interested in participating in this fun adventure, please let Ms. Roskamp know!

    Important Website Links:

    Upcoming Dates:

    August

    • 20: Ice Cream Social 6-7pm
    • 25: First day of school
    • 27: Parent Information Night 6-7:20pm

    September

    • 4: No School
    • 7: No School–Labor Day
  • Forest School Newsletter: August 2026

    Forest School Newsletter: August 2026

    Dear Forest Families,

    There is something truly special about this season. The trees are full, wildflowers are blooming, birdsong fills the air, and every corner of our Forest is alive with the beauty of God’s creation. As our staff has spent time preparing the cabins, trails, and learning spaces, we have been reminded again and again of God’s abundant goodness.

    Yet, as beautiful as our Forest is right now, it is missing its most important part…our children.

    The laughter on the trails, curious questions beside the pond, muddy boots, joyful discoveries, and the friendships that make this place feel like home are what truly bring our Forest to life. We cannot wait to welcome each child back to their special place in our Forest family. We have been praying for your children throughout the summer and eagerly anticipate all that God has planned for this new school year.

    This year also marks a remarkable milestone for Holland Christian Schools as we celebrate 125 years of God’s faithfulness. What a joy it is to look back with gratitude and see generation after generation of students whose hearts and minds have been shaped for Christ’s Kingdom. Throughout this year, we’ll celebrate this incredible birthday together, rejoicing in the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness across more than a century. How appropriate that our school theme this year is His Love Endures Forever. It is our privilege to walk alongside your family as we help nurture a new generation of children who will know, love, and serve Jesus.

    Thank you for entrusting us with your precious children. We are grateful to partner with you and cannot wait to begin another year of wonder, discovery, learning, and growing together in God’s beautiful creation.

    Welcome to the Forest and see you soon,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Before School Supervision

    Our teachers will be gathering every Wednesday morning this school year for professional learning time together. We’re hiring kind, fun-loving supervisors for our students at each campus! Would you like to help our teachers and care for students on Wednesday mornings? 7:45-8:30am. $15 per session. Please Complete this form if you’re interested!

    Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 26-27

    All students entering kindergarten as well as new transfers have a variety of paperwork that needs to be filled out and turned in as soon as possible! Students will not be allowed to attend their first day unless all paperwork has been turned in!

    Please be sure your child is up to date on all immunizations, and if you are pursuing an immunization waiver through your county health department, please call them for an appointment ASAP as appointments fill up quickly, and it needs to be done before attending the first day of school. If you have any questions, please email us!

    Waiver Information:

    If your child is a new student coming to HC from a different school district, your old waiver is invalid and you will need to schedule an appointment.

    If your child with a waiver is returning student to Holland Christian for the 26-27 school year and moving from:

    • preschool to kindergarten: New waiver needed; please schedule an appointment.
    • Young 5s to kindergarten: Current waiver on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the waiver.

    Contact the Pine Ridge school office if you have any questions at 616.820.3505 or email us.

    Summer Office Hours

    The Pine Ridge/Forest School office is open Mondays-Fridays from 9am-3pm until school starts. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Food Services

    Family portal accounts will be ready to receive deposits on Monday, August 11. If you do NOT have a family portal account set up, you will need your student’s ID number. Please email Sue for your student ID number. There is no fee to deposit money into your child’s account with a debit or credit card.

    Medications at School

    If your child needs to take medication at school–either prescription or over the counter (including inhalers!)–we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so ASAP so it is ready by the first day of school. The necessary form is on our Medical Information & Forms page.

    If you have questions, you may also contact Holland Christian’s school nurse, Lindsey Prentice. She will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you!

    Class Lists & School Supplies

    We are so excited to welcome your child back to school! Below you will find the links for class lists and school supply lists per class and/or grade level.

    Back to School Night:

    This will be a time to come and check out your child’s classroom WITH your child. They can meet their teachers, deliver supplies and get the layout of where they will be this year.

    • 2nd Grade: Wednesday, August 19  6-7pm starting at Pine Ridge Elementary
    • K & 1: Thursday, August 20 6-7pm at the cabins
    • Young 5s: Thursday, August 20 5:30pm at Cedar Creek

    Parent Night:

    This evening is a time for parents only to learn about the goals, routines and helpful partnership expectations from your child’s teacher.

    • Forest School Kindergarten: Monday, August 31, 6pm in kindergarten cabins, for parents only
    • Forest School 1st grade: Monday, August 31, 6:30pm in 1st grade cabins, for parents only

    First Day of School

    Our first day of school is a full day, Tuesday, August 25.

      • Cedar Creek Y5: 8:30-3:00
      • Cabin campus: 8:20am-3:20pm
      • Pine Ridge Elementary: 8:15-3:15

    Before & After School Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

    We ask that you adhere to the following traffic policies for Drop-Off and Pick-Up as specified. We appreciate your cooperation and doing your part to keep our children entering and exiting school safely each day!

    Absences

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email us any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent for any reason. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please list any symptoms your sick child may have, as this information is a requirement for us to report to the county!

    Transportation

    Busing is available for some students needing transportation to and from Forest School or Pine Ridge. For complete busing details and to register, please visit our Transportation page.

    Student Safety

    After the school day is underway, all doors will be locked. All students who arrive late for school must notify the school office. This policy also applies to picking a student up from school. Please be sure to inform both your student’s teacher AND the office.

    Moms In Prayer

    All moms are invited to our weekly meetings of Moms In Prayer. We meet at Providence Church (across from Middle School) on Fridays 8:30-9:30 am starting September 11. Please email Nicole Shook with any questions ncshook@gmail.com Would love to have you join us and pray for our students and school this year!

    PowerSchool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful. If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    Please update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply log in, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Elementary Handbook

    The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, technology policy, etc.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    August

    • 19: 2nd grade Parent+Student Night @ 6:15-7:30pm starting and ending at Pine Ridge.
    • 20: Y5, Kindergarten & 1st Grade Parent+Student Open House
    • 25: 1st day of school
    • 31: K & 1st Parent Information Night 6pm (K) & 6:30pm (1st)

    September

    • 4-7: No school: Labor Day
    • 4: K & 1st Picture Day
    • 18: 2nd grade Picture Day
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: August 2026

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: August 2026

    Welcome back, Pine Ridge families!

    As we prepare our classrooms and learning spaces for an amazing new school year, my heart is already filled with excitement for all the wonderful experiences we have planned for your children and your family. Now that our staff is back in the office, there is an unmistakable buzz of anticipation as we count down the days until our students return!

    We are truly blessed that you have chosen to be part of the Pine Ridge family this year. One of my greatest joys has already begun—I have been praying for each of your children by name as we look forward to a year of growth, learning, friendships, and fun.

    I hope your family enjoys these last precious weeks of summer. Be sure to stop by and say hello at our Ice Cream Social—I would love to see you! It’s the perfect way to reconnect, meet new friends, and kick off what is sure to be an incredible school year.

    We can’t wait to welcome you back. Here’s to a fantastic year together!

    Mrs. Dinah Pereira

    Announcements

    All Things Back to School

    Here are all the things you need to get ready for back to school

    Staffing Updates

    • We have a new Discovery encore class and welcome Mrs. Johanna Heisler as the teacher. 
    • Fifth grade is growing! We are welcoming Mrs. Stephanie Stein as our newest 5th grade classic teacher. She has previously helped in many capacities but most recently with our forest program. 
    • Fourth grade teachers have changed their names! Miss Kirsten Crouse is now Mrs. Litwiller and Miss Olivia Kuiper is now Mrs. Hall. Congratulations to them both on their summer weddings!

    Office Hours

    The office is open daily 9-3. Please note: we will be closed a few times to attend trainings and other meetings. A note will be posted on the door if we are unavailable.

    Absences

    Please call or email the school office at 616.820.3505 any time before 8:15am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail at any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens.

    Moms in Prayer

    All moms are invited to our weekly meetings of Moms In Prayer. We meet at Providence Church (across from Middle School) on Fridays 8:30-9:30 am starting September 11. Please email Nicole Shook with any questions. Would love to have you join us and pray for our students and school this year!

    Before/After School Care: 26-27

    The doors at Pine Ridge open at 7:50 each school morning and students are dismissed at 3:15 each afternoon. If you need care outside of these hours, please check out the Before/After School Programs.

    Medications at School:

    If your child needs to take medication at school including an inhaler, we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so asap. The medication forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms Page for your convenience. You are welcome to email Lindsey Prentice, our school nurse. She will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication (prescription or non-prescription) to our students without a doctor’s order and students are not allowed to be in possession of ANY medication with the exceptions of an epipen or inhaler. Thank you!

    Lost & Found

    The lost and found album is where we post items that have been misplaced by students. Please be sure to check this album often so items can make it back to the correct home.

    Student Life & Discipleship Practices

    I am so blessed to have two boys who are wonderfully made—and wonderfully different! In our house, whenever we’re getting ready for a transition or trying something new, I can count on hearing at least ten questions a day: What time are we leaving? What will happen there? What does it look like? Will there be other kids? Am I going to be able to…? The questions seem endless! But honestly, they’re completely normal. God created us with minds that like to prepare, understand what to expect, and think things through before stepping into something new.

    The start of a new school year is no different. We want our students to have as many of their questions answered as possible before they walk through our doors. When children know what to expect, they are more likely to feel safe, confident, and ready to enter a space that will become their home away from home throughout the year.

    At Pine Ridge, we want to make that transition as simple, welcoming, and meaningful as possible. Over the coming months, you’ll hopefully hear your child talking about our Discipleship Practices and our PR Expectations.

    Our 12 Discipleship Practices are designed to partner with you as you disciple your children to know, love, and follow Jesus. You’ll see these practices throughout the HC campus and in every classroom as they become part of our daily rhythms.

    Woven into each Discipleship Practice are our PR Expectations: Practice Respect, Practice Responsibility, and Practice Positive Relationships. These shared expectations give both students and adults a common language for how we care for one another, learn together, and build a Christ-centered community.

    Our prayer is that these intentional, proactive practices create a school environment where every child feels known, safe, and encouraged—a place where learning, growth, and caring relationships can flourish all year long.

    PowerSchool

    PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful.  If there is a change in your phone number or address any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

    You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply login, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.

    Food Services

    Please remember to add money to your child’s online lunch portal. If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    August:

    • 3: Office Hours resume at Pine Ridge (9am-3pm)
    • 7: All new student paperwork is due via email/mail/drop-off to the office
    • 20: Pine Ridge Ice Cream Social 6:30-7:30pm
    • 25: First day of school for preschool-12th grade, full day
    • 27: Parent information night (parents only) at 6:30pm- 7:45pm.

    September

    • 4: No school
    • 7: No school: Labor Day