Holland Christian Schools

Category: School Newsletters

  • High School Newsletter: March 2025

    Dear HCHS Families,

    Welcome to March and the introduction to the season of Lent. Before I moved to West Michigan, the launch of Lent typically began with an evening Ash Wednesday service; however, after breaking the ice with a few folks who grew up here, they introduced me to Michigan’s official start to the season: eating a paczki. I’ll always remember the first time I participated in this sacred Michigan ritual and made the mistake of eating more than one within five minutes. After more than ten years of participating in this tradition, the cravings have subsided, but the inertia of cultural obligations has kept me a consistent participant.

    Annual traditions and rhythms can often dull the senses that were sparked during a first experience of anything. Early in my career, I decided, maybe mistakenly, to teach Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey to my grade 9 and 10 students. I had read and taught it for quite some time, so it was always refreshing to witness their first experience with these stories. Every year they would make the observation that the gods within these ancient texts from the 8th century BC acted and spoke very immaturely and seemed to cause drama at the cost of humans because they were simply bored, having lived forever and had no first experiences to look forward to. Eternity almost seemed like a punishment for them.

    Human beings in these ancient Greek stories, on the other hand, desired to live forever like the gods, but their only mechanism to do so was to be remembered. In The Iliad, the warrior Achilles wrestles between these two options: being remembered yet dying young in battle or being forgotten yet living a quiet, peaceful life. He ultimately chooses neither and seeks, instead, vengeance after his friend is killed in battle, which leaves him in Hades, the mythological location in which all deceased people reside. Eternity has been on the hearts and minds of people since the fall, and for the Ancient Greek and Roman, Hades was the eternal reality that awaited mortals no matter what they achieved in life, leaving many hopeless.

    Lent offers us an important reminder that Jesus shattered the hopelessness embedded in surrounding culture with declarations like this: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” (John 6:51) and “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Even though Jesus repeatedly testified to this message, the beautiful reality of God’s outpouring, self-sacrificial love for us did not sink in until he laid down his life, rose from the dead, and returned to those who abandoned him. He made the inaccessible accessible and tasked his disciples to spread the good news that his Kingdom was at hand.

    Dallas Willard put it like this in The Divine Conspiracy:

    Eternity is not something waiting to happen, something that will commence later. It is now here. Time runs its course within eternity. With the coming of Jesus it was not only here, as it had always been, but was directly and interactively accessible to every one of the Israelites, no matter what their standing in life or what they had or had not done—to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” They did not have to be among the glitterati, the humanly blessed. All they had to do was to trust this man Jesus as the one anointed to bring God personally into human history and therefore the Lord of that history. This message of the present availability of God’s rule to everyone was to be announced, or “preached.” Jesus did that, and soon he sent his disciples to do the same thing. And once the foundation had been historically laid in flesh-and-blood Jews, historically prepared for that purpose, it was to be preached to all “nations.”

    As we enter this Lenten season, may this time be one of remembrance that the Lord of Heaven and Earth deeply loves his image-bearers and desires for us to return to the Garden, which is his presence. At Holland Christian, our desire is for each student to transform the world for Jesus by first becoming his disciples, “being transformed into his image with every-increasing glory” (I Cor. 3:18). Thank you for your continued partnership in establishing the Kingdom of God in your homes, our school, and our city, making them places where what God wants done is done.

    With Thanks,

    Miles

    General Information

    Spring Break: April 4 – 13

    If you are planning on leaving early for spring break, please send a note, email Kelli Van Eerden, or call the office at 616.820.2905 before you leave. This will help us greatly with attendance.

    Parents & Guardians of the Class of 2025

    Help make your child’s end-of-high school career even more memorable by surprising them with a message in the yearbook! Purchase an ad for your senior with this Senior Graduation Ad opportunity. We can accept submissions only until March 17, 2025!

    Senior Exam Exemption Policy Reminder

    During the second semester, seniors may work towards being exempt from their final exams. To earn this exemption seniors must meet at least one of the following:

    • Have a B average in the course for which there is an exam through the final day of that course;
    • Have handed in all homework on time with a passing grade, and have no more than two days absent in that course for the whole semester (for any reason except “school activity.”)

    PSAT & SAT for HCHS Students

    On Wednesday, March 19 at 8:30am at HCHS, 9th graders will be taking the PSAT 8/9, 10th graders the PSAT 10, and 11th graders the SAT. The PSAT and SAT showcase the classroom skills and knowledge that are essential for college and career readiness. In addition, this benchmark data helps Holland Christian to continuously improve its strong approach towards academic excellence. Students will be dismissed when the testing is finished, approximately 11:30am (no cafeteria services that day). Seniors do not need to attend school on March 19. Tech Center is required for seniors, but juniors will be excused from Tech Center due to the testing.

    Athletic Department

    Registration on Final Forms for the 25-26 school year begins on April 1, 2025. The athletic department requires a pre-participation physical dated after April 15, 2025, to participate in school sports for the 25-26 school year. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts until a current physical form is on file with the athletic department. If you have any questions please contact the HCHS athletic department.

    • All families with 6th-12th grade potential athletes need to be registered with our online registration system Final Forms. For those already registered for the current year, you simply need to login, select the sports your child is interested in and update any changes to your and your child’s information. This is also the place where you print the updated 25-26  physical form to take with you to your DO/MD/NP/PA appointment and have that individual sign the form.
    • For complete information about all athletic opportunities at Holland Christian, please take a look at the Athletic Opportunities page
    • For information specifically about Summer camps, go to the Summer Camps page.

    Athletic Physical Nights

    We encourage every child to see their PCP for their well-child visit, but also understand that MHSAA pre-participation sports physical requirements do not always align with the annual well child visit with your physician due to insurance requirements. It is beneficial to see your PCP as they know your previous history and can note any oddities, but MHSAA requires that physicals must be dated after April 15.

    Sports physicals through the school allow a way to fulfill the MHSAA requirements when insurance does not cover an additional physical. We will be holding Athletic Physical Nights on April 16 and May 15.  More detailed information to follow!

    Please note: Any parents willing to volunteer their time as any of the following: Physician, nurse, PT, expert crowd control or healthcare professional, please email HC’s athletic trainer, Karianne.

    Important Dates

    • Final Forms registration opens for the 25-26 school year on April 1, 2025
    • MHSAA Dead Week: June 30 – July 6  (no team activities or use of facilities)
    • MHSAA Fall Sports Pre-Season Downtime: August 1-10 (limited activities for fall teams)
    • High School Fall Sports begin: August 11
    • Middle School Fall Sports: Football begins August 18,  all other middle school sports begin August 25

    Fine Arts

    Spring Theatre Production, The Play That Goes Wrong

    We invite you to come experience a night of laughs, drama, and a murder mystery gone wrong! May 1-3 at 7pm HC Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong – and everything from poisoned actors, falling sets, exploding props, mutinous set crew, and much worse! Despite the catastrophe, the cast fights to keep the play on the rails…after all, “the show must go on!” Tickets go on sale April 8, so keep tabs on the HC Theatre page for more information, and we hope to see you there.

    Living Hope Showcase 2025: Music through the Decades

    Join the Living Hope Singers on a musical journey through the decades! Showcase 2025 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 21 & 22 at 7pm in the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10, and $1 of every ticket sold will benefit Caroline’s PEACH Foundation. Purchase your tickets TODAY!

    Swingin’ the Night Away

    The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present the Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, March 7, from 6:45 to 9pm. Admission is $5, and goes to support the music program at HCHS. New to swing dancing? No worries! Dance instructors will be on hand from 6:45pm-7:30pm to teach us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more.

    Band Extravaganza

    Come one, come all to the Holland Christian Schools Band Extravaganza for a wonderful night of music on Wednesday, March 19. HC’s 5th grade, 6th grade, Middle School, and High School Bands will perform at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Hope College’s campus at 7pm. Hear a wide variety of musical styles and sounds and you won’t want to miss the closer, featuring over 200 musicians combined!

    Counselors’ Corner

    Testing Information

    • All 11th grade students will take the SAT during the school day on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 9th and 10th grade students will take the PSAT on this day. Students do not need to register for these tests, and there is no cost for students.
    • Upcoming Saturday SAT dates are available in May.  You can search testing sites in our area when you go to the SAT website to register.
    • Upcoming Saturday ACT test dates are available in April.  You can search for testing sites in our area when you go to the ACT website to register.
    • Here is a chart of the upcoming ACT and SAT dates for the 24-25 school year, including the registration deadlines.

    College Financial Aid

    The FAFSA process has been much smoother this year, and we’re thankful for this! The financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering is the best place to go if you have specific FAFSA or financial aid related questions.

    Scholarships

    Internal scholarships are available to current, full-time Holland Christian seniors (this includes Tech Center seniors). Details have been emailed to all full-time seniors. These are listed on Google Classroom under the course “HCHS Internal Scholarships.” The due date for these applications is Monday, March 31, 2025 by 8am. There is still a list of outside opportunities listed on the HC website under the counseling section.

    Seniors’ Honors Night

    We would like to celebrate the accomplishments of our seniors by including a list of all merit scholarship recipients in the Honors Night and graduation programs. If your senior son/daughter is receiving a merit scholarship from a college you know he/she will be attending, please provide Mrs. Silva in the high school office with written verification of the award. You may copy the letter or the email notifying you of the award received. This does not include need-based financial aid awards. Please have all scholarships turned in by Monday, April 21, 2025.  Once a student turns in scholarship(s), he/she will receive an invitation letter to Honors Night. Please reserve the evening of Thursday, May 15, 2025 for this event. It is a special night to acknowledge the hard work of our seniors, and we want to celebrate their accomplishments!

    College Visits

    We encourage juniors to begin exploring colleges of interest. Students are allowed two school-related absences per semester for college visits. School-related absence means the absence does not count toward the ten absences allowed. There is a form that the student must fill out before the visit. This must be completed and signed by the college official and returned to the high school office in order for the absence to be cleared. The college visit permission form is available in the high school office and the counseling office. We hope this helps encourage students to explore college/career options without worrying about accruing too many absences. Please note that parents do need to call in the absence ahead of time. Once the completed form is turned in to the office, the absence will get coded as a college visit and will not count against the student.

    24-25 School Calendar

    Important Dates

    March

    • 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
    • 7: Swingin’ the Night Away, 6:45-9pm
    • 19: Band Extravaganza Concert, 7pm
    • 21 & 22: Living Hope Showcase, 7pm

    April

    • 4-13: No school, Spring Break
    • 14: School resumes
    • 25: HCHS Oratorio
    • 26: Junior/Senior Banquet

    May

    • 1-3: Spring Show, The Play That Goes Wrong 
    • 8: Grandparents Day, special schedule, Tulip Time (half day, 11:10 dismissal)
    • 12: Orchestra Concert at Jack Miller Center 7pm
    • 13: Band Concert at Jack Miller Center 7:30pm
    • 14: Spring Choral Concert, HS Auditorium, 7:30pm
    • 15: Senior Honors Evening 7pm
    • 16: Last day for seniors
    • 19: Senior exams
    • 20: Commencement for Class of 2025
    • 26: Memorial Day vacation
    • 30: HCHS exams begin

  • Middle School Newsletter: March 2025

    Dear Parents-

    We are in the middle of parent-teacher conferences, and if you spent time at the middle school last Thursday, thank you for making that investment in your child’s education. If you haven’t signed up yet, I encourage you to meet with three or four of your student’s teachers next Thursday. These face-to-face conversations are a valuable way to stay informed on your child’s progress, strengthen the partnership between home and school, and set goals for the months ahead. If you’ve already attended or plan on attending, consider taking some time to talk with your child about what was discussed and work together on setting goals moving forward.

    This month, we will roll out “Change for Change” at chapel on March 12. Students will have the opportunity to collect and donate spare change to help provide uniforms for children at the care center we visit in South Africa. In addition to supporting students, we hope to bless the teachers, who earn very little while dedicating themselves to the young. One teacher is currently on maternity leave and will receive no pay while she cares for her newborn. This is a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate generosity and share Christ’s love in a meaningful way.

    If your son or daughter is interested in joining the mission trip to South Africa in October, please email me @ tstrikwerda@hollandchristian.org to express interest. We will host an informational meeting in April to share details and answer questions.

    I pray that you and your family continue to grow in your relationship with Christ and flourish in His grace.

    God bless,

    Tom Strikwerda

    Principal.

    March at HCMS

    South Africa Trip 4.0

    Holland Christian Middle School is inviting eight incoming 7th and 8th graders to a kingdom encounter in South Africa October 16 through October 27. The vision of this trip is to raise up a generation of servant leaders to have a deeper understanding and knowledge of the Father, and to provide a process for students to make His heart known.

    Parent survey

    We are continuing to evaluate and improve our process for communicating behavior expectations to students. Our desire is to come together as a community to help our students grow into people of God. One of the central components of this initiative focuses on working to recognize and acknowledge positive student behavior. We have created a school-wide system for teaching and addressing behavior in our students.

    We would love to have your input about the overall climate of our school community. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Many of these questions are required as this is a nationally recognized program. Your responses will be kept confidential.

    Spring Sports

    Boys and Girls Track, Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball, and Girls Tennis are slated to begin on March 17! Make sure you are signed up on Final Forms for the sport your student is interested in to receive information from the coaches. Students must have a valid physical form on file before they are able to participate. Thanks!

    Athletic Physical Nights

    • We encourage every child to see their PCP for their well-child visit but also understand that MHSAA preparticipation sports physical requirements do not always align with the annual well child with your physician due to insurance requirements. MHSAA requires that physicals must be dated after April 15.
    • A sports physical night through the school helps alleviate those insurance issues. It is beneficial to see your PCP as they know your child’s previous history and can note any oddities. However, sports physicals through the school allow for a way to fulfill the MHSAA requirements when insurance does not cover an additional physical.
    • It is important to have your physical before the first day of your sport’s season. You are required to be cleared through an MD, DO, NP, or PA who will check for major medical concerns that may arise during the sports seasons.
    • Holland Christian will participate in two community-wide Athletic Physical Nights this spring: April 16 and May 15. Stay tuned for sign-up information!
    • Any parents willing to volunteer their time as any of the following: physician, nurse, PT, expert crowd control or healthcare professional, please reach out to Karianne.

    Save the Date!

    The Middle School Grandparents’ Day will be Friday, May 9 in the afternoon. Stay tuned for more details!

     

    Important Dates

    March

    1: MS Play 2 and 7pm @ HCHS Auditorium
    5: MSBOA 7th/8th grade Band Festival AM
    6: MSBOA 7th (AM) and 8th (PM) Orchestra Festival
    Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:30-8:30pm
    7: Swingin’ the Night Away 6:45pm @ HCHS
    19: 5th-12th Band Extravaganza 7pm @ Jack H. Miller Auditorium
    20: 8th grade PSAT (½ day for 8th grade only)
    21: End of Q3
    24: Begin Q4

    April

    4: No school: Spring break
    14: School resumes
    23: 6th Grade Launch Night

    May

    8: Half day (Tulip Time)
    9: Grandparents’ Day 1:45pm
    12: Orchestra Concert 7pm
    13: Band Concert 7pm
    15-16:  7th Grade Camp
    22:  MS Choir Concert 7pm
    26: No school: Memorial Day

  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: February 2025

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: February 2025

    We’ve been having a blast at Pine Ridge in 2025. We’ve had all our holiday festivities, cardboard sled racing, STEAM projects, Salmon raising, a whole school book sale and a few snowdays thrown in- WOW! I am constantly amazed at all the good learning and how much growth has happened. We just had our book sale and we are hoping that these new books in kids’ hands encourage them to keep reading. Thank you for reading with your kiddos at home as we work to keep the momentum going. I am excited to continue to partner with you and to celebrate all the great things happening at Pine Ridge!

    Happy Reading!
    Mrs. Dinah Pereira

    Announcements

    5th Grade Families:

    Save the Date:
    Holland Christian Middle School invites 5th grade parents to come to our Spring Launch Night! Meet the staff, hear about the academic and extra curricular opportunities, and get a head start on understanding the transition to the middle school. See the 6th Grade Launch Night Flyer for more information.

    Technology Reminder:

    As a reminder please do not send personal technology to school, this includes Smartwatches. If they are seen by a teacher, they will be asked to put it in their backpack and take it home. If it is seen a second time it will be placed in the office for a parent to pick up at the end of the day. An excerpt from our handbook states;

    Personal Technology: Personal Technology is not necessary in a school setting and disrupts the learning environment. Personal Technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Cell Phones
    • Smartwatches
    • Headphones or Earbuds
    • Personal Laptops
    • MP3-Players
    • Etc. (i.e. Any non-school issued personal technology)

    If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send their student an email or call the office and get a note from the office. Personal Technology items are not allowed to be used or visible during the time a student enters school until the final bell rings. If a student needs to use their phone, they must receive direct permission from a staff person to do so.

    Running Clubs

    We are still looking for some volunteer coaches for both of our running clubs! Please email the office with any questions. This is a great way to get involved.

    Wacky Wednesdays

    We have a couple Wacky Wednesdays left for your student to participate:

    • February 5 – Hat Day
    • February 12 – PJ Day (snow day make up!)

    The winning class each week (largest % of students participating) will get a hot chocolate party provided by our Parent Board!

    Tardies

    The front doors at Pine Ridge are unlocked for drop off from 7:50-8:15. The first bell rings at 8:12 to get students in and ready to start learning at the 8:15 bell. If your child arrives after 8:15, they will be marked tardy. Thank you for helping us get learning started right away in the morning and utilizing all the time we have!

    Chapel

    We would like to extend an invitation to our weekly chapels. Chapel happens each Tuesday from 1:25-1:55 pm. Please be sure to check in at the office!

    Swimming Lessons

    These lessons are provided at the Holland Aquatic Center. Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons each year through the Holland Aquatic Center. These lessons are provided  during the school day for 2 weeks. We recognize that this program could be a little uncomfortable for children. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need, but that we still feel responsible to equip them with. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. This HCAC Swim School welcome video can help you understand a bit about the logistics. Any questions please feel free to email the office.

    Swimming lessons will be happening March 17- 28 for 3rd and 4th graders this year!

    Lost and Found

    The Lost and Found table outside the office at Pine Ridge is growing into tables!! If your student is missing something, please check the photo album online or stop in and check it in person.

    Absences & Appointments

    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! Also, please note that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.

    Please email the office of any appointments or early dismissal/late arrival information. That helps us make sure your student is ready for pickup or let’s us know they are coming later and are accounted for. All students must be signed in and out from the office by an adult! 

    Pine Ridge Carpool Line:

    Please remember that you may only turn right out of the parking lot between 3:15-3:45 so we can still get cars in and out as quickly and safely as possible!

    Also, remember to pull ALL the way up to the bike rack even if the weather isn’t ideal for pickup AND dropoff so we can fit as many cars in as possible. We cannot stop in the circle for any reason during those times.

    Food Services

    Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s lunch account and add funds as necessary.

    Moms in Prayer

    Moms in Prayer is a great way to connect with other moms, pray for your child, and have an impact on the school. Please join us on Fridays at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30 am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

    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

    Calendar

    February:

    • 14: No school: Staff PD
    • 17: No school: Winter Break

    March:

    • 14: End of Quarter 3
    • 19: Band Extravaganza
    • 19: Report Cards Emailed
    • 20: Parent Teacher Conferences
    • 25: Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Rose Park Newsletter: February 2025

    Rose Park Newsletter: February 2025

    Store windows at this time of year are often laced in doilies and framed with paper chain hearts. Our commercial calendar is reminding us it’s time to celebrate love in this the shortest month of the year. We hope you hear our smiles rather than the sound of cynicism. Truly, Jesus challenges us to love others authentically, love God deeply and even love ourselves graciously every day of our lives rather than the focus in just one month or a single special holiday. Our Rose Park children recently unpacked these words shared by the revered Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Yes. May our actions throughout the journey of our lives ever speak this truth. And may our children learn this truth through our actions, not just our words. Love is much greater than hate. God’s light is much greater than the darkness in this world. Our prayer is that our children will live this truth more authentically and effectively than all who have come before. And? Happy Valentine’s Day, friends. 🙂

    All warmth and joy be yours,

    Katelyn and Miska

    Announcements

    Hot Lunch

    February Hot Lunch Menu

    Save the Date: Spring Program

    March 6 will be our Spring Program held at Christ Memorial from 6:30-7:30.  Your child’s teacher will communicate more specifics to you soon.  We’re excited to welcome you to an evening of community worship.

    Ranch Hands

    Would your family be interested in caring for our goats (the wonderful Rosie and Parker) and three chickens (Pearl, Opal, and Mera) on a Saturday or two this spring? It’s a pretty simple task to be a ranch hand but does require knowledge of our barn/greenhouse locking system and feeding tasks. We are taking applications! Your child may write a note expressing interest on behalf of your family and bring to the office “applying” for the job! Or you can just email Miska your interest. We’re looking for five families who respond first to pilot the family partnership. Thank you for embracing the joy our critters bring to the lives of our students!

    Rose Park Runners

    Interested in Running a 5k? 3rd-5th grade kids are welcome to join the Rose Park Runners. We will practice on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from right after school until 4:30. Practices will begin on February 18, and we will practice up until the Tulip Time 5k on Saturday, May 3. We will start with some strengthening and conditioning, and then work on our running stamina to prepare us for a 5k. No previous running experience needed! Please sign up using this google form.

    6th Grade Launch Night Save the Date:

    Holland Christian Middle School invites 5th grade parents to come to our Spring Launch Night! Meet the staff, hear about the academic and extra curricular opportunities, and get a head start on understanding the transition to the middle school. See the 6th Grade Launch Night Flyer for more information.

    Swimming Lessons

    Our Holland Aquatic Center is providing swim lessons for us again this year! I recognize this program is a little uncomfortable for some children and families especially if it’s new and unfamiliar to you. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need but feel responsible to equip them. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please take a listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why for swim safety. HCAC Swim School welcome video will help you understand a bit about the logistics. Our 1st-4th graders will be bused to the pool each day the weeks of April 14-25.

    • 9-10am: 1st Grade
    • 10-11am: 4th Grade
    • 11am-12pm: 2nd Grade
    • 12:35-1:35pm: 3rd Grade

    Enrollment for 2025-26

    Continuous enrollment begins after kindergarten. As a continuous enrollment school, this means, in an effort to simplify the process for our current K-12 families, you will not need to re-apply every year once your child is in kindergarten. We are happy that you are a part of the Holland Christian family and our hope and plan is that you will continue partnering with us in the years to come! New-to-Holland-Christian families who are interested in enrolling for the 2025-26 school year can do so by applying at dev.hollandchristian.org/apply starting at 9am Monday, February 3.

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Spring parent-teacher conferences will be on March 20 and 25. More details and signup information will be coming as we get closer.

    Lacrosse Opportunity

    Boys lacrosse registration is open for our 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 club teams!  The 3/4 team begins after spring break on April 15 and the 5/6 & 7/8 teams begin on March 17. Early bird pricing runs through February 15, so sign up today!

    Lunar New Year Community Celebration

    Join us as we celebrate the Lunar New Year on Friday, February 7 from 5-7:30pm at the Holland Fish and Game Club. All are invited to this family-friendly event. Enjoy cultural activities and food for purchase such as crafts and games, performances, Dragon Dance, red envelope give away, and Asian food!

    Family Fun Math Night at Hope College

    Hope College is hosting a Family Math Fun Festival on Saturday, March 8, 10 am – 12 pm on campus that is free and open to families with children in grades K-8. The festival features a wide variety of interactive low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that will engage families in creative problem solving that won’t even feel like mathematics! They’ll also be giving away goody bags to all participants with math games and other school supplies:

     

    Calendar

    February

    • 3: Preschool and kindergarten 2025-26 application open for new families at 9am
    • 14: No school (teacher professional learning)
    • 17: No school (Presidents Day)

    March

    • 6:  Spring Program 6:30-7:30pm
    • 14: End of 3rd quarter
    • 15: Kids’ Stuff Resale 9am-12pm @ HCHS
    • 20: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm

    April

    • 4-13:  No school: Spring break
    • 14: School resumes

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

  • Forest School Newsletter: February 2025

    Forest School Newsletter: February 2025

    “I have shifted from pursuing adventures of a lifetime towards a lifetime of just trying to live a little more adventurously every day.” ~Alastair Humphreys

    What joy to behold our Forest Kids thriving as they explore, wonder, and connect with God’s creation outdoors. From discovering the beauty of a simple leaf to marveling at the vast sky above, every moment is an opportunity to grow in awe of the Creator and find our place in His story. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering prayers, love, and support from our dedicated staff and YOU, our families, whose partnership makes this journey of faith and learning possible. Together, we are fostering a love for the world God made, and it’s truly a gift to witness our students flourishing in such a vibrant, hands-on environment.

    All joy and wonder,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Wacky Wednesdays

    Forest Kids, we have TWO more Wacky Wednesday left:

    February 5 – Hat Day
    February 12 – PJ Day (Snow day make up!)

    Let’s finish strong!

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Spring parent-teacher conferences will be on March 20 and 25. More details and signup information will be coming as we get closer.

    Forest Family Night Hike

    We hope you can join us for a special evening in the forest with your family from 6-7:30pm on Thursday, February 20! The FS Parent Board has planned a nighttime hike at the FS campus. Families are encouraged to bring headlamps/flashlights and sleds depending on weather conditions. No RSVP necessary for this event.

    Swimming Lessons

    Our Holland Aquatic Center is providing swim lessons for us again this year! I recognize this program is a little uncomfortable for some children and families especially if it’s new and unfamiliar to you. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need but feel responsible to equip them. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please take a listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why for swim safety. HCAC Swim School welcome video will help you understand a bit about the logistics. Our 1st-2nd graders will be bused to the pool each day the weeks of March 17-28.

    • 9-10 am: 2nd Grade
    • 10-11 am: 1st Grade

    Enrollment for 2025-26

    Continuous enrollment begins after kindergarten. As a continuous enrollment school, this means, in an effort to simplify the process for our current K-12 families, you will not need to re-apply every year once your child is in kindergarten. We are happy that you are a part of the Holland Christian family and our hope and plan is that you will continue partnering with us in the years to come! New-to-Holland-Christian families who are interested in enrolling for the 2025-26 school year can do so by applying at dev.hollandchristian.org/apply on Monday, February 3 starting at 9am.

    Illness Reminders

    Please remember that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.

    Absences

    Please call 616.820.3505 or email the school office EVEN IF you have let your student’s teacher know 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.

    Lunar New Year Community Celebration

    February 7 from 5-7:30pm at the Holland Fish and Game Club. Join us as we celebrate the Lunar New Year! All are invited to this family-friendly event with cultural activities and food for purchase: Crafts and games, performances, Dragon Dance, red envelope give away and Asian food!

    Family Fun Math Night at Hope College

    Hope College is hosting a Family Math Fun Festival on Saturday, March 8, 10 am – 12 pm on campus that is free and open to families with children in grades K-8. The festival features a wide variety of interactive low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that will engage families in creative problem solving that won’t even feel like mathematics! They’ll also be giving away goody bags to all participants with math games and other school supplies.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    February

    • 3: Preschool and kindergarten 2025-26 application open for new families at 9am
    • 14: No school (teacher professional learning)
    • 17: No school (Presidents Day)

    March

    • 14: End of 3rd quarter
    • 15: Kids stuff resale 9am-12pm @ HCHS
    • 20: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm

    April

    • 4-13:  No school: Spring break
    • 14: School resumes
  • South Side Newsletter – February 2025

    South Side Newsletter – February 2025

    I am blessed to go out on the playground with the students at South Side each week. This winter so far we have had a lot of snow so the students have gotten to build some fun snow forts, speed down our sledding hill, and roll huge snow balls. The joy on the playground is always so invigorating to me – oh to have the energy of a 5 year old! We value this play time for our students and they are outside each morning, during lunch, and again in the afternoon.

    Playground time is also great learning time. Students are learning how to make friends, navigate disagreements, and handle having to wait their turn. They are learning to serve others and to look out for someone who might need a friend. They are learning to jump higher and challenge themselves to make it across the monkey bars. And this learning time is FUN! If you ask a South Side student what there favorite things are about our school, recess always makes the list. Maybe you want to take some time to ask your child what their favorite thing is about our South Side playground?!

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    Enrollment for 2025-26

    For full information on enrollment dates and links, please see the separate email sent out earlier to all HC parents. However, for all parents with children in kindergarten or above, it’s nice to be reminded that Holland Christian is a continuous enrollment school. This means, in an effort to simplify the process for our current K-12 families, you will not need to re-apply every year after kindergarten. We are happy that you are a part of the Holland Christian family, and our hope and plan is that you want to continue partnering with us in the years to come!

    Discovery Night

    Thank you so much for coming out to our preschool and kindergarten Discovery Nights, and for passing along information about our school district to your family and friends. We had a great turn out, and are so grateful for the partnership we get to continue with families at HC!

    Wacky Wednesdays

    What fun we’ve had with this years’ Wacky Wednesday themes! The class with the highest percentage of participation for each week will receive a voucher for a hot chocolate party. We still have two Wacky Wednesdays left: Hat Day & PJ Day! Many thanks to the Parent Team and volunteers that put this together and helped serve the nice, warm treat for the winning classes.

    Lost & Found:

    The office is continuing to update our South Side Lost and Found Album as items come into the gray tub in the office. Please check it out to see if any of these items belong to your child. Feel free to email Rachel Steen, to claim your item(s), and we will be sure to get it into your child’s backpack.

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Parent-teacher conferences are coming up! You will receive an email with instructions on how to register for conferences in a few weeks.

    • Thursday, March 20: 4-8pm
    • Tuesday, March 25: 4-8pm

    News from Food Service

    Did you know that you may apply for lunch benefits at any time of the school year? Situations change, so don’t be hesitant to apply to this confidential resource. Go to familyportal.cloud, put your school district in the drop down (Holland Christian), and apply for Lunch Benefits. This is very easy, no need knowing your student’s ID number, and it’s extremely confidential. If you have any questions, please contact Sue at 616.820.2934.

    Substitutes Needed

    We can always use more available substitute teachers! If you love working with kids, have obtained 60 or more college credits, and are willing to have a background check/fingerprinting done, we would love to add you to our list! If you are interested, please email Rachel Hendershot, or you can start an application on edustaff.org.

    Community News

    We’ve heard of some community opportunities you might be interested in. These organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools, but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates

    February

    • 3: Preschool and kindergarten 2025-26 application open for new families at 9am
    • 5: Wacky Wednesday: Hat Day
    • 12: Wacky Wednesday: PJ Day
    • 14: No school (teacher professional learning)
    • 17: No school (Presidents Day)

    March

    • 14: End of 3rd Quarter
    • 19: Report Cards
    • 20: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm

    April

    • 4-11: No school: Spring break
    • 14: School resumes

     

  • High School Newsletter – February 2025

    High School Newsletter – February 2025

    Dear HCHS Families,

    Welcome to February and the start of the second semester! After a week of exams and three consecutive snow days, this semester began with much enthusiasm to get back into the classroom and re-enter the natural rhythm of a school schedule. Other than parents of elementary students, no one was more excited for the start of the semester than RVL, who has been eager to reignite the lecture hall with his Discipleship class. It’s wonderful to hear his distinct voice out on Main Street once again. Recently, a few colleagues and I overheard RVL yelling in his class, “Who are you? What are you doingBa here?” Just to be clear, this was part of a deeply meaningful lesson and not a reprimand of a student walking into his class late. In another context, RVL provided a great devotional study on these fundamental questions in his signature light blue vented long sleeve shirt, and in it he encourages us to engage with Isaiah 43:8-12 and examine how we also are to live as God’s witnesses through our words and actions.

    As a Christian school community, we must ask ourselves these same two questions. In the first century, most likely starting with the Catechetical School of Alexandria, which opened 20 years after Jesus’s ascension, the primary focus of Christian schools was to produce resilient followers of Jesus who loved God, embodied Jesus’s teachings, and were equipped to serve God and their neighbors in whatever capacity He desired from them. This holistic approach to education is why I appreciate the powerful simplicity of our mission statement: equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ. First and second-century discipleship transformed the world for Jesus in ways well beyond how we count the years, and the need to produce resilient followers of Jesus today has become ever more urgent.

    In 2023, Barna research Group found that only 20 percent of self-identified U.S. Christians meet Barna’s definition of a “resilient disciple”: Christians who 1) attend church at least monthly and engage with church more than just attending worship services; 2) trust firmly in the authority of the Bible; 3) are committed to Jesus personally and affirm he was crucified and raised from the dead to conquer sin and death; and 4) express desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of their faith. In 2019, Barna asked U.S. Christians in their twenties these same four questions, and only 10% met the definition of resilient disciple.

    As a father of four children under the age of eight, these statistics were intimidating when thinking about how my wife and I might counteract this trend in our own home. One resource I deeply appreciated was Pastor Jon Tyson’s The Intentional Father, which utilizes much of the data gathered by Barna. One clarification that he makes is that the title of the book is not called “The Perfect Father.” Rather, Pastor Tyson simply encourages parents to take a few moments to develop a plan, as they might in their own professional work, and think strategically about how they can raise their children to be resilient followers of Jesus. His simple, achievable approach is part of the catalyst for reinstituting the Public Reading of Scripture gatherings on Tuesday mornings and lunches for any students or staff and a new Just Show Up book club focused on discipleship. These are no-homework opportunities for students to participate in and learn about a few of the core disciplines of the early church.

    As a school community, we are so thankful for the opportunity to partner with you in this critical venture, and we look forward to the opportunity to see you once again in person at parent-teacher conferences to pause and reflect on our joint effort in the academic and spiritual formation of the children God has entrusted to you. To this end, while we see academic progress as important, here are a few other questions we encourage you to ask: Are they treating their neighbors with hospitality (Rom. 12:13)? Are they showing honor to others (Rom. 12:10)? Are they being patient in tribulation or challenges they face (Rom. 12:12)? Are they associating with the lowly instead of the proud (Rom. 12:16)? Are they feeding their enemies if they’re hungry and giving them something to drink (Rom. 12:20)?

    As we pursue the fulfillment of our mission to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus, may we be reminded that the transformation of the world came about through the transformation of imperfect people as they walked in the dust of the Good Shepherd and loved their fellow image-bearers with what they had as the Lord originally intended.

    With thanks,
    Miles Colago
    High School Principal

    General Information

    25-26 Class Signup

    Registration information was presented to all current 9th-11th grade students during Family Flex in the last two weeks of January. Students should be signing up for their 25–26 classes now in PowerSchool; current students should submit their course selections by noon Friday, February 14. All parents are encouraged to discuss with students the opportunities that are available. Updated information and course descriptions for all classes are on the Registrar Page.

    PSAT & SAT for HCHS Students

    On Wednesday, March 19 at 8:30am at HCHS, 9th graders will be taking the PSAT 8/9, 10th graders the PSAT 10, and 11th graders the SAT. The PSAT and SAT showcase the classroom skills and knowledge that are essential for college and career readiness. In addition, this benchmark data helps Holland Christian to continuously improve its strong approach towards academic excellence. Students will be dismissed when the testing is finished, approximately 11:30am (no cafeteria services that day). Seniors do not need to attend school on March 19. Tech Center is required for seniors, but juniors will be excused from Tech Center due to the testing.

    Athletic Department

    Registration on Final Forms for the 25-26 school year begins on April 1, 2025. The athletic department requires a pre-participation physical dated after April 15, 2025, to participate in school sports for the 25-26 school year. Athletes will not be allowed to participate in tryouts until a current physical form is on file with the athletic department. If you have any questions please contact the HCHS athletic department.

    • All families with 6th-12th grade potential athletes need to be registered with our online registration system Final Forms. For those already registered for the current year, you simply need to login, select the sports your child is interested in and update any changes to your and your child’s information. This is also the place where you print the updated 25-26  physical form to take with you to your DO/MD/NP/PA appointment and have that individual sign the form.
    • For complete information about all athletic opportunities at Holland Christian, please take a look at the Athletic Opportunities page
    • For information specifically about Summer camps, go to the Summer Camps page.

    Important Dates

    • Final Forms registration opens for the 25-26 school year on April 1, 2025
    • MHSAA Dead Week: June 30 – July 6  (no team activities or use of facilities)
    • MHSAA Fall Sports Pre-Season Downtime: August 1-10 (limited activities for fall teams)
    • High School Fall Sports begin: August 11
    • Middle School Fall Sports: Football begins August 18,  all other middle school sports begin August 25

    Fine Arts Department

    MIFA Home Benefit: The Trojan Women

    All family, friends, and community members are invited to our MIFA Home Benefit show of The Trojan Women on Tuesday, February 18 from 6-7pm. This winter, our theater team is partnering with Bethany Christian Services, specifically their Refugee Foster program. Every year, hundreds of children arrive alone in the United States as refugees of warfare, famine, or political violence. Many of them have become separated from their families as they fled. BCS works to place these children in safe and loving temporary homes where they will be provided for as BCS works to reunite them with their families.

    Instead of charging admission for our Home Benefit, we are asking our audience to consider donating to Bethany Christian Services to help this program. There will be more information about the refugee foster program at the show on the 18th. We would love to see all of you there! If you have any questions, please contact Jill Davis.

    Calvin Symposium Worship Service

    The HCHS Symphonic Orchestra is excited to have been invited to help lead the opening worship service for the annual conference, the Calvin Symposium on Worship. This is a conference that gathers worshipers from across Canada, the United States, and around the world to learn about worship. The orchestra will take part in the Symposium worship service on Wednesday, February 5 at 1pm at the Calvin University Fine Arts Center and you are invited to attend!

    Living Hope Showcase 2025: Music through the Decades

    SAVE THE DATE! Join the Living Hope Singers on a musical journey through the decades! Showcase 2025 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 21 & 22 at 7pm in the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10, and $1 of every ticket sold will benefit Caroline’s PEACH Foundation. Purchase your tickets starting February 10. See you there!

    Swingin’ the Night Away

    The Holland Christian Jazz Bands and the Old Timer’s Jazz Band are proud to present the Swingin’ the Night Away in the HCHS cafeteria on Friday, March 7, from 6:45 to 9pm. Admission is $5, and goes to support the music program at HCHS. New to swing dancing? No worries! Dance instructors will be on hand from 6:45pm-7:30pm to teach us the basic steps of swing, so the evening can be enjoyed by novice and experienced dancers alike. Not in the mood for dancing? Come socialize, indulge in some delicious desserts, punch, and enjoy the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington and more.

    Band Extravaganza

    Come one, come all to the Holland Christian Schools Band Extravaganza for a wonderful night of music on Wednesday, March 19. HC’s 5th grade, 6th grade, Middle School, and High School Bands will perform at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Hope College’s campus at 7pm. Hear a wide variety of musical styles and sounds and you won’t want to miss the closer, featuring over 200 musicians combined!

    Counselors’ Corner

    Seniors & Parents of Seniors

    Just a reminder that if you have improved your ACT/SAT scores and would like your intended college/university to have these scores, you must have your updated scores sent directly from your ACT or SAT student account. Your HC transcript does not list or include test scores. If you did not put down the 4 digit codes for the college(s) you wish to receive your test scores when you registered for the SAT/ACT, you can log into your account and request that your new scores be sent. There is a fee to send additional scores.

    Likewise, some schools require a mid-year transcript through the Common Application. If your school(s) don’t require this, but you would like to send your updated transcript at the end of semester one, please log in to your Parchment account and request a transcript.

    If you have questions, please contact your counselor.

    Scholarships

    It is very important for seniors to regularly check their email and to read the daily announcements, as information about scholarship opportunities and deadlines is communicated via both.

    Throughout the school year, various scholarship opportunities will be posted online through the Counseling Department. A listing of outside scholarships, both regional and national, is updated as we receive notices of scholarship opportunities. Beginning in January and early February, there will be information online about the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland scholarships that are open to Holland Christian students, and also internal HC scholarships, which are for full-time Holland Christian students only.

    Careerline Tech Center

    On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, we will have representatives from Careerline Tech Center here to present to students who are interested in attending during their junior or senior year.  All sophomores and any interested juniors will be able to attend this presentation. There is also an open house at the Tech Center scheduled for February 4, 2025 from 5:30-7:30pm.

    The Tech Center online application for the 2025-26 school year is open and available on the OAISD Website. Please remember that you must print out your completed application and bring it to the Student Services/Counseling office. Applications are due by February 14, 2025.

    Testing Information

    Financial Aid

    All students seeking financial aid (institution based, state & federal funds) must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online via the FAFSA Website. The FAFSA will be available for you to complete beginning in December. Be sure to check the financial aid link on each college website for specific information on their timelines. For helpful information on the FAFSA, check out this FAFSA Application guide.

    The federal student aid estimator can provide you with an estimate of your Student Aid Index (SAI). This index is used by colleges to determine what types of student aid you may receive. Again, the financial aid office of the college(s) you are considering is a great place to start if you have specific FAFSA or financial aid questions.

    Helpful Resource for Financing College

    The MI Student Aid website has helpful information, links, and resources for students and families to use in navigating the college financial aid and scholarship landscape.

    The Sallie Mae Paying for College Resource is a helpful destination to guide students and families make a plan to pay for college. The resource is free, easy to use, and includes great information on all the important paying-for-college topics.

    College Athletics

    If you are considering attending a NCAA Division I or II school, and you hope to compete in  athletics, the NCAA Eligibility Center is an important place to start. It is the responsibility of the student and parents to be familiar with eligibility requirements and course specifics.

    If you are considering participating in athletics at the NAIA level, check out the NAIA eligibility center.

    Important Dates

    HCS School Calendar

    February

    • 8: Parent-sponsored Winterfest Dance
    • 14: 2025-26 course registration deadline
    • 14: No school
    • 17: No school, Presidents Day
    • 27: Parent-Teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)

    March

    • 6: Parent-Teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
    • 7: Swingin’ the Night Away, 6:45-9pm
    • 19: Band Extravaganza Concert, 7pm
    • 21 & 22: Living Hope Showcase, 7pm

    April

    • 4-11: No school, spring Bbreak
    • 26: Junior/Senior Banquet
  • Middle School Newsletter: February 2025

    Middle School Newsletter: February 2025

    Dear Middle School Parents,

    The second semester is officially underway—despite a snowy start with three snow days last week! As we settle into the rhythm of a new semester, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your student’s school year so far. If you feel led, consider sending a quick note of appreciation to a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s life.

    Speaking of appreciation, February 20 marks Todd Smeenge’s 60th birthday! This would be a great opportunity to celebrate this milestone by sending him an email.

    I also want to highlight two exciting things happening at the middle school:

    Beauty and the Beast Jr. Production
    Students and staff are working hard to bring Beauty and the Beast Jr. to life! This year’s production is a big one, featuring singing, dancing, and a larger cast, so it will take place in the high school auditorium. Many hands are involved in making this show a success:

    • Actors (Directed by Meredith Beukelman)
    • Set Design Crew (Led by Jenny Geuder)
    • Hair, Makeup & Costume Crew (Led by Katie Boer)
    • Vocal Coaching (Led by Vickie Crouse)
    • High School helpers supporting each of these areas

    It’s shaping up to be a fantastic production, and I highly recommend coming to see the show the weekend of February 28!

    Small Group Chapels
    This month, we’ve shifted our chapel time to small group discussions. Each staff member is leading a group of about 15 students, exploring topics such as:

    • What about Faith?
    • Worship from Around the World
    • Reading and Writing Parables
    • God’s Presence in the Hard Times
    • Finding Rest in Creation
    • Encouraging Others with God’s Word
    • Carrying the Torch of the Gospel
    • Walk & Wonder

    By changing up our routine, we hope to engage students in new ways and encourage meaningful conversations about faith.

    Thank you for your continued support—we’re grateful to partner with you in your child’s education!

    Blessings,
    Tom Strikwerda
    Middle School Principal

    February at HCMS

    8th Grade High School Registration:

    Holland Christian High School course registration for incoming 9th graders is due February 14. HCHS’s registrar, Dan Vos, will be available at HCMS on Monday, February 3 during Homeroom to answer any questions students may have.

    Parent-Teacher Conferences:

    Parent-teacher conferences will be held February 27 from 3:30-6:30pm and March 6  from 5:30-8:30pm. Instructions for conference sign-up will be emailed to you in February. We look forward to meeting with each of you!

    From the Parent Board:

    • The HCMS Parent Board has a tradition of providing meals for staff during conferences. Look for an announcement in the daily announcements to sign up to help provide food on February 29 and March 7.
    • Save the date for the MS Spring Skating Party Tuesday, March 4 6-8:30pm at RollXScape. More details to come in the daily announcements.

    MS Play

    The Middle School Theater Department is excited to present Beauty & the Beast Jr.! Performances will be Friday, February 28 at 7pm and Saturday, March 1 at 2pm and 7pm at the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets will be available on the HC website starting Monday, February 3.

    Important Dates

    February

    • 14: No school: Staff PD
    • 17: No school: Presidents Day
    • 27: Parent-Teacher Conferences 3:30-6:30pm
    • 28: MS Play 7pm @ HCHS

    March

    • 1: MS Play 2pm, 7pm @ HCHS Auditorium
    • 5: MSBOA 7th/8th Band Festival
    • 6: MSBOA 7th (AM) and 8th (PM) Orchestra Festival & Parent Teacher Conferences 5:30-8:30pm
    • 7: Swingin’ the Night Away 6:45pm @ HCHS Cafeteria
    • 20: 8th grade PSAT (½ day for 8th grade only)
    • 21: End of Q3
    • 24: Begin Q4

    Community Opportunities

    The below list of organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.

    Hope College Family Math Fun Festival:

    Hope College is hosting a Family Math Fun Festival on Saturday, March 8, 10 am – 12 pm on campus that is free and open to families with children in grades K-8. The festival features a wide variety of interactive low-floor, high-ceiling tasks that will engage families in creative problem solving that won’t even feel like mathematics! We’ll also be giving away goody bags to all participants with math games and other school supplies. See flyer for more information.

    Holland Junior Police Academy:

    JPA is a free, 3-week summer program hosted by the Holland Department of Public Safety and is designed to teach students about First Responders (Police, Fire, and Medical), as well as develop teamwork and leadership skills. This summer JPA will run from July 14-July 31 each day, Monday through Thursday, from 8am to 1pm. Students are eligible if they will be entering 7th or 8th grade. You can learn more about the program and apply here.

  • Forest School Newsletter: January 2025

    Forest School Newsletter: January 2025

    The Reformed Journal recently published an inspiring article about the gift of wonder. Blaine Crawford reflects that, as adults, we have a tendency at this time of year in particular to keep a tight schedule and routine. We steer our children away from mud and puddles and paths less taken. We mentally calculate the number of loads of laundry and the time necessary to clean up. Our adult world is efficient, mechanized, overly-scheduled. Our world is flattened.

    “For most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood,” but a child’s world is “fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.”

    And so, this Advent, take a walk outside to the forest or the seashore.

    Better yet, take a child with you.
    Delay dinner an hour and savor the setting sun.
    Get up early to glimpse the crystallized frost on fallen leaves.
    Stay up late to watch the stars light up the darkened sky.
    If it snows, do not delay. Run outside to dance and play.
    Become like a little child,
    enter the Kingdom of God,
    rightly astonished by the wonders God has shown you.”

    May you bask together in the wonder and beauty of the gift of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and happy, healthy new year to each of you.

    Much love and joy,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Gadgets for Christmas

    Just in case a child receives a smart device or personal tech with connectivity, we want to remind you of our policy to uphold healthy learning spaces throughout HC to the best of our ability.

    Personal Technology: Personal Technology is not necessary in a school setting and disrupts the learning environment. Personal Technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Cell Phones
    • Smartwatches
    • Headphones or Earbuds
    • Personal Laptops
    • MP3-Players
    • Etc. (i.e. Any non-school issued personal technology)

    If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send their student an email or call the office and get a note from the office. Personal Technology items are not allowed to be used or visible during the time a student enters school until the final bell rings. If a student needs to use their phone, they must receive direct permission from a staff person to do so.

    Absences & Appointments

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email the Pine Ridge 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! Also, please note that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.

    Please inform the office of any appointments or early dismissal/late arrival information. That helps us make sure your student is ready for pickup or let’s us know they are coming later and are accounted for. All students must be signed in and out if coming after class has started or before the last bell. 

    Swimming Lessons

    These lessons are provided at the Holland Aquatic Center. Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons each year through the Holland Aquatic Center. These lessons are provided  during the school day for 2 weeks. We recognize that this program could be a little uncomfortable for children. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need, but that we still feel responsible to equip them with. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. This HCAC Swim School welcome video can help you understand a bit about the logistics. Any questions please feel free to contact the office.

    Swimming lessons will be happening March 17- 28 for 1st and 2nd graders this year!

    2nd Grade Lost and Found

    Don’t forget about the lost and found table at Pine Ridge! If your student is missing something, please check the photo album online or stop in and check it in person.

    Pine Ridge Carpool Line

    Please remember that you may only turn right out of the parking lot between 3:15-3:45 so we can still get cars in and out as quickly and safely as possible!

    Also, remember to pull ALL the way up to the bike rack even if the weather isn’t ideal for pickup AND dropoff so we can fit as many cars in as possible. We cannot stop in the circle for any reason during those times.

    AND please watch out for pedestrians and kids on bikes crossing the street!

    Food Services

    Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s lunch account.

    Moms in Prayer

    Moms in Prayer is a great way to connect with other moms, pray for your child, and have an impact on the school. Please join us on Fridays at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

    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

    January:

    • 1-3: No school: Christmas Vacation
    • 6: Back to School!
    • 15-17: Hearing & Vision testing 2nd Grade
    • 17: K-5th Report Cards go live!
    • 20: No school: MLK Day

    February:

    • 14: No school: Staff PD
    • 17: No school: Winter Break
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: January 2025

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: January 2025

    Happy new year to all our Pine Ridge families! I don’t know about you, but I am not one for “new years resolutions” or even early goals. I like to take a moment to reflect on the past year and then jot down my hopes and prayers for the coming year. I do this because I know that ultimately it is not I who guides my life but Jesus Christ. He has given me life, a purpose and he has a plan laid out for me. This past year I heard a speaker talk about finding  “bright spots” in our day to day lives. He said that as humans we tend to look for and find the problems, hard things and even sometimes create challenges for ourselves. I am challenged by the word in 1 Thessalonians, “Encourage one another and build each other up”. I pray that we can do that this new year, encourage each other, find the bright spots and share them with those around us. Thank you for your partnership and continued support as we live into 2025.

    Blessings,
    Dinah

    Announcements

    Technology Reminder:

    As a reminder please do not send personal technology to school, this includes Smartwatches. If they are seen by a teacher, they will be asked to put it in their backpack and take it home. If it is seen a second time it will be placed in the office for a parent to pick up at the end of the day. An excerpt from our handbook states;

    Personal Technology: Personal Technology is not necessary in a school setting and disrupts the learning environment. Personal Technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Cell Phones
    • Smartwatches
    • Headphones or Earbuds
    • Personal Laptops
    • MP3-Players
    • Etc. (i.e. Any non-school issued personal technology)

    If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send their student an email or call the office and get a note from the office. Personal Technology items are not allowed to be used or visible during the time a student enters school until the final bell rings. If a student needs to use their phone, they must receive direct permission from a staff person to do so.

    Kinderdance

    Kinder Dutch Dance 2025 registration is now open! Practice is during one lunch recess per week, starting February 17. See this flyer for more info and the link to register. Registration deadline is January 18, 2025. Fee is $25 with additional cost for required costume and wooden shoes.

    Running Clubs

    Do you have a love for youth fitness? Are you looking for a way to invest in the students at Pine Ridge? This spring, we hope to have running clubs for both girls and boys.

    Boys:
    TTQ is a fun, high energy after school program designed exclusively for boys in 3rd-5th grade; it incorporates strength and stretching exercises, activities designed to help develop a healthy lifestyle along with training for a 5K. The Spring season begins the week of March 10th, with a final 5K on May 17th. Check out the TTQ Flyer in your child’s teacher blog for Kristen Chan’s contact information to sign up to be a coach.

    Girls:
    There is Pine Ridge Girls Running Club; a club organized and run by Pine Ridge parent volunteers. It follows much the same organization of TTQ with 2 practices a week, held right after school. This running club will culminate in the Tulip Time Run on Saturday, May 3. Please contact the Pine Ridge office if you can help us by being a coach for this event!

    Wacky Wednesdays

    Let’s break up the dreary and cold days with some fun! The following Wednesdays will be themed for students to participate – as chosen by our 5th graders:

    • January 15 – Sports Day (clothing and hats only; no equipment please!)
    • January 22 – PJ day
    • January 29 – Neon Day
    • February 5 – Hat day

    The winning class each week (largest % of students participating) will get a hot chocolate party provided by our Parent Board!

    Tardies

    The doors at Pine Ridge lock at 8:15 each morning. If your child arrives after 8:15, they will be marked tardy. Thank you for helping us get learning started right away in the morning and utilizing all the time we have!

    Chapel

    We would like to extend an invitation to our weekly chapels. Chapel happens each Tuesday from 1:25-1:55 pm. Please be sure to check in at the office!

    Swimming Lessons

    These lessons are provided at the Holland Aquatic Center. Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons each year through the Holland Aquatic Center. These lessons are provided  during the school day for 2 weeks. We recognize that this program could be a little uncomfortable for children. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need, but that we still feel responsible to equip them with. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. This HCAC Swim School welcome video can help you understand a bit about the logistics. Any questions please feel free to contact the Pine Ridge office.

    Swimming lessons will be happening March 17- 28 for 3rd and 4th graders this year!

    Lost and Found

    The Lost and Found table outside the office at Pine Ridge is growing into tables!! If your student is missing something, please check the photo album online or stop in and check it in person.

    Absences & Appointments

    Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email the Pine Ridge 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! Also, please note that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.

    Please inform the office of any appointments or early dismissal/late arrival information. That helps us make sure your student is ready for pickup or let’s us know they are coming later and are accounted for. All students must be signed in and out from the office by an adult! 

    Pine Ridge Carpool Line:

    Please remember that you may only turn right out of the parking lot between 3:15-3:45 so we can still get cars in and out as quickly and safely as possible!

    Also, remember to pull ALL the way up to the bike rack even if the weather isn’t ideal for pickup AND dropoff so we can fit as many cars in as possible. We cannot stop in the circle for any reason during those times.

    Food Services

    Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s lunch account and add funds as necessary.

    Moms in Prayer

    Moms in Prayer is a great way to connect with other moms, pray for your child, and have an impact on the school. Please join us on Fridays at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30 am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

    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

    Calendar

    January:

    • 1-3: No school: Christmas Vacation
    • 6: Back to School!
    • 15-17: Hearing & Vision testing
    • 20: No school: MLK Day

    February:

    • 14: No school: Staff PD
    • 17: No school: Winter Break