Holland Christian Schools

Category: School Newsletters

  • Rose Park Newsletter: March 2024

    Rose Park Newsletter: March 2024

    Dear Rose Park Friends,
    The early spring temperatures have certainly made for some remarkably beautiful days to enjoy creation this winter. As we move through seasons throughout our year in Michigan, we’re always reminded that God is faithful through all of the fickle in our world. Temperatures fluctuate up and down and winds whip all about, yet our God is faithful and good. Generation after generation. As we begin to see the sap flowing in our maples and anticipate the arrival of buds, tangible experiences abound for our children to live into the words they have committed to memory: “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5.

           

    All warmth and joy be yours,

    Katelyn & Miska

    Announcements

    Lost and Found

    Our lost and found table is mounting! Please take a peek here at our inventory! We’re thinking about launching a buy-one-get-14-free event! 😉

    March Is Reading Month

    Our readers are rocketing! We’re celebrating the blossoming growth we are tracking in our readers! Thank you for supporting these efforts at home! On March 14 we’ll be celebrating reading throughout our building. We’ll be setting up reading/learning forts for a special fun event on the 14th. Please send a spare sheet or towel with your child on the 14th and we’ll take care of the rest!

    TTQ–Please Take a Peek:

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Spring parent-teacher conferences will be on March 21 and 25. More details and sign-up information will be coming as we get closer.

    Kindergarten Enrollment for 24-25

    HC continues to accept applications for the 24-25 school year. We encourage you to spread the word and the 24-25 Application Link to friends, family and neighbors. We thank you for being an ambassador of HC!

    Hot Lunch

    March Hot Lunch Menu

    Calendar

    March

    • 2: Kids’ Stuff Resale 9am-12pm @ HCHS
    • 21: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 22: End of 3rd quarter
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 29-April 7: No school: Spring break

    April

    • 8: School resumes

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

  • Pine Ridge Newsletter – March 2024

    Pine Ridge Newsletter – March 2024

    As this time of year approaches and we are hit with bunnies, candy, easter baskets and reminders of our broken world, I can rejoice that I am reminded of the great sacrifice that was made by our Lord, Jesus Christ. I hear the story and see the visuals of this act in our classrooms and down the halls. I am grateful and blessed to know that this is where we partner together. We came together as a school and celebrated Ash Wednesday with our Director of Faith Formation, Bryant Russ. We are excitingly preparing for our spring concert where we will praise and worship our Lord together. Thank you for partnering with us as school, home and church come together to teach and grow our community of learners.

    In Christ,
    Dinah Pereira

    Announcements

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Spring parent-teacher conferences will be on March 21 and 25  from 4-8pm. Sign up information went out on February 16. If you need these instructions sent out again, please email the office.

    The Parent Board would love to bless our teachers with a meal the night of conferences on Thursday, March 21. You can sign up at the link below. Food can be dropped off by 4pm on Thursday, March 21 at the appropriate school.
    South Side Sign-Up 
    Pine Ridge Sign-Up

    Book Fair at South Side

    The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to South Side during conferences in March. It will be open Thursday, March 21 and Monday, March 25 from 4-8pm in the After School Care Room at Southside.  We are in need of a few volunteers to make this a success–please sign up at here is you are willing to help out!

    Swimming Lessons

    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. The exact dates vary depending on your child’s class, but will happen in the next few 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.

    • March 18-29 for Mrs. Ream, Mrs. Hirdes/Mrs. Riemersma, and Mrs. Boer’s classes
    • April 22-May 3 for Miss Slenk and Mr. Meyering’s classes

    Tulip Time ’24

    An email was sent out on February 26 asking for your child’s preference for the Tulip Time parade this year. If you have not already filled it out, please fill out this Tulip Time Survey so we can make sure we are prepared with the correct props.

    Spring Program

    The South Side, Pine Ridge, and Forest School program will be held on March 14 at 6:30pm at Christ Memorial Church. We are so excited to sing for you and worship with you that evening. Students should dress in nice clothes (something like what they might wear to church).

    • Young 5s through 5th grade students should arrive between 6:00-6:15. They will meet with their teachers in the lobby, under their teachers name sign. Families will head into the sanctuary to be seated by 6:20.

    • 4th graders should arrive with their recorders.

    At the end of the night, students will go back to the same spot where they arrived with their teacher. Parents you will be asked to “check out” with your child’s teacher.

    Parent Board

    Parent Board is looking ahead to next year! Would you like to be part of our team? Help us plan and execute Walkathon, show teachers our appreciation throughout the year, and plan some fun events, besides getting to know the school community! Please contact Tami Schippers or Emily Baker if you’d like to hear more.

    Yearbooks

    If you did not order a yearbook this fall when pictures were taken, but would like to have one yet, please sign up here.

    Running Clubs

    TTQ ( Total Trek Quest)

    We currently have 10 boys signed up for TTQ but we need at least 2 coaches in order to run a group. If you, a friend, a neighbor, or grandparent has any interest in coaching please please email Kristen Chan or you can call her at 616.250.1041. The program is set to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:15 starting March 18. If we do not have coaches, we will not be able to run the program. Thank you for considering this fun volunteer opportunity! 

    PR Girls’ Run Club

    Registration is now open! Please sign up here. A huge thank you to the parents who are coaching this year! Please read this letter for information about the club and to access the links to sign up for the club and the culminating Tulip Time Race. Running starts March 11 and will meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:15pm.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

     March

    • 1: Kids’ Stuff Resale
    • 14: Spring program
    • 17:  End of 3rd quarter
    • 20: Parent-teacher conferences
    • 21: Report cards live online
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences
    • 29-April 7: No school: Spring break

    April

    • 8: Classes resume
    • 26: 4th grade Market Day
  • South Side Newsletter – March 2024

    South Side Newsletter – March 2024

    It has been such a blessing to me this year as I think about our theme of “Faith Like a Child” to be  surrounded by God’s precious children each day. As I talk with the children, hear them praising God in worship, and walk the halls to see their projects displayed on the walls, I am in awe of their faith. In many ways it is simple and straightforward and yet in spite of that (or maybe because of that) is so deep and full of joy and truth. Here are a few examples I’ve seen of childlike faith on display at South Side recently.

    • Preschoolers and Y5 students learned in class and heard our 2nd graders share in chapel about how each snowflake is unique and learned that God created us each uniquely. They created snowflakes to display their uniqueness.
    • Kindergarteners shared a faith selfie about who they are in Christ.:”I am loved. I can do it. I have Jesus.”
    • After learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. first graders dreamed about how the world would be better, coming up with ideas like “share God’s word, give more hugs, and love everyone.”
    • Second graders studied character traits in reading and then did a deep dive into a Biblical character and what traits that person displayed. Did you know Mary was brave and Moses was wise? Ask a 2nd grader to tell you how they know that!

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Parent-teacher conferences for Young Fives through 2nd grade students are coming up Thursday, March 21 and Monday, March 25, from 4-8pm both days. You received an email on February 16 about how to sign up. Teachers deeply value your partnership, and are looking forward to this time of conversation with you!

    From the Parent Board

    Parents: We would love to bless our teachers with a meal the night of conferences on Thursday, March 21. Food can be dropped off by 4pm on Thursday, March 21. If you are willing to contribute, please sign up here.
    Parent Board is looking ahead to next year! Would you like to be part of our team? Help us plan and execute Walkathon, show teachers our appreciation throughout the year, and plan some fun events, besides getting to know the school community! Please contact Tami Schippers or Emily Baker if you’d like to hear more.

    South Side Book Fair

    The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to South Side during conferences in March. It will be open Thursday, March 21 and Monday, March 25 from 4-8pm in the After School Care Room at South Side. We are in need of a few volunteers to make this a success. Please sign up here if you are willing to help out!

    Spring Concert

    Our all-school spring concert will be Thursday, March 14 with Pine Ridge and Forest School. Please join us at Christ Memorial at 6:30pm for this special evening.

    Swimming Lessons

    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. First and second grade will be doing lessons on March 18-28 in the morning. We recognize this program could be a little uncomfortable for children. However, because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan and surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need, but that we feel responsible to equip them with. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please take listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. This HCAC Swim School welcome video might help you understand a bit about the logistics. Please feel free to contact the South Side office with any questions.

    Tulip Time

    An email was sent out on February 26 asking for your child’s preference for the Tulip Time parade this year. If you have not already filled it out, please fill out this Tulip Time Survey so we can make sure we are prepared with the correct props.

    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.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    March

    • 2: Kids’ Stuff Resale 9am-noon @ HCHS
    • 14: Spring concert at Christ Memorial
    • 21: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 21: Report cards available
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 29-April 7: No school: Spring break

    April

    • 8: School resumes
  • Forest School Newsletter – March 2024

    Forest School Newsletter – March 2024

    The early spring temperatures have certainly made for some remarkably beautiful days to enjoy creation this winter. As we move through seasons throughout our year in Michigan, I’m always reminded that God is faithful through all of the fickle in our world. Temperatures fluctuate up and down and winds whip all about, yet our God is faithful and good. Generation after generation. As we begin to see the sap flowing in our maples and anticipate the arrival of buds, tangible experiences abound for our children to live into the words they have committed to memory: “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Yours in Christ’s service,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Swim Lessons

    Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons each year through Holland Aquatic Center. These lessons are provided  during the school day for 2 weeks. First and second grade lessons will take place from April 8-19. We recognize this program can be a little uncomfortable for children because it could be new and unfamiliar. However, 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 listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. HCAC Swim School welcome video could help you understand a bit about the logistics. Any questions please feel free to contact the office.

    Spring Program

    The South Side, Pine Ridge and Forest School all-school program will be held on March 14 at 6:30pm at Christ Memorial Church. Complete details on when and where your child needs to be will be given by their teacher.

    Parent-Teacher Conferences

    Parent-teacher conferences are coming up! You should have received an email with instructions on how to register for conferences on February 16. If you need these instructions again, please email the office.

    • Monday, March 21, 4-8pm
    • Thursday, March 25, 4-8pm

    Book Fair at South Side

    The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming to South Side during conferences in March and will be open Thursday, March 21 and Monday, March 25 from 4-8pm in the After School Care Room at South Side. We are in need of a few volunteers to make this a success. Please sign up here if you are willing to help out!

     March

    • 1: Kids’ Stuff Resale
    • 14: Spring program
    • 17:  End of 3rd quarter
    • 20: Parent-teacher conferences
    • 21: Report cards live online
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences
    • 29-April 7: No school: Spring break

    April

    • 8: Classes resume

     

  • Forest School Newsletter: February 2024

    Forest School Newsletter: February 2024

    “There’s joy and wonder everywhere when you see the world through the eyes of a child” ~Katrina Mayer

    There’s truth in the old adage that a picture is worth 1000 words. I hope your heart captures 1000 descriptors from the above photo celebrating the formative years of our Forest Kids. Like you, I’m so grateful for our team of dedicated, patient, courageous and servant-hearted staff who create an environment day after day where our children can play, learn, discover, explore and connect with God and our world! You may have read a post on HC social media pages about a design thinking conversation that took place recently. Staff, parents and community members who are vested in our Forest program met together for hours and continued the work of examining the beauty of outdoor learning in the lives of our children. We’re working to create sustainability, consistency and celebrative support around our program and in the lives of our Forest Kids as they and our program grow! I remain so grateful to God for his providence and care in the lives of our children, staff and YOU, our families.

    All joy and wonder,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Wacky Wednesdays

    Forest Kids, we have a few more Wacky Wednesdays left. Let’s finish strong!

    • January 31 – Neon/Tie Dye Day – S’more Party Prize
    • February 7 – PJ Day – Pizza Party Prize

    Parent Teacher Conferences

    Spring parent teacher conferences will be on March 21 and 25. More details and signup information will be coming as we get closer.

    Save the Date: Spring Concert

    March 14 will be our spring concert! This will be a combined event with South Side and Forest School. More details coming soon.

    2nd Grade Lost and Found

    There is a table outside the office at Pine Ridge that is growing! If your student is missing something, please check it out.

    Kindergarten Enrollment for 2024-2025

    Current Families of HC: Preschool and Kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will be open exclusively to current families from January 30th at 9:00 am to January 31st at 9:00 pm! We thank you for choosing Holland Christian.

    Swim Lessons

    The Holland Aquatic Center will be providing us with swim lessons again this year. Our 1st and 2nd graders will head to the pool April 8-19.

    • 2nd Grade – 9:00am-10:00am
    • 1st Grade – 10:00am-11:00am

    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.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    February:

    • 16: No school: Professional Development
    • 19: No school: Professional Development

    March:

    • 14: Spring Concert: South Side, Pine Ridge & Forest School
    • 21: Parent Teacher Conferences
    • 25: Parent Teacher Conferences
    • 29: No school: Spring Break Starts

    April:

    • 1-5: No school: Spring Break
    • 8: School resumes
  • South Side Newsletter – February 2024

    South Side Newsletter – February 2024

    Our South Side students are Super Stars! This year we are focusing on three star behaviors:

    • SELF – Students are doing the work of controlling their own behaviors.
    • SERVANT – Students are thinking about others before they act.
    • STUFF – Students are working to care for our things around the school.

    Our new favorite place to practice our star behaviors are on the sledding hill.

    • SELF – Students are careful not to crash into others.
    • SERVANT – Students go up the sides of the hill so that there is room for others to come down the middle and take turns with the sleds.
    • STUFF – Students stack our sleds nicely at the end of recess.

    If you get a second, ask your child what is one way they are being South Side Stars?

    Christy Haig





    Announcements

    Enrollment for 2024-2025

    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 (this is, 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 had with this years’ Wacky Wednesday themes that added some fun to our wintery Wednesdays! The class with the highest percentage of participation for each week received a voucher for a hot chocolate party. We have two Wacky Wednesdays! Many thanks to the Parent Team and volunteers that put this together and helped serve the nice, warm treat for the winning classes.

    Swimming Lessons

    Swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center are returning for 1st-4th grade students at Holland Christian. Our 1st and 2nd grade lessons will be March 18-29.

    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.

    Spring Concert

    We will be having having our spring concert Thursday March 14 with Pine Ridge and Forest School. More details will follow.

    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 21: 4-8pm
    • Monday, 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.

    HC TRIP Program

    Are you getting the most help you can for paying your tuition? The TRIP program is designed to help you pay tuition without extra cost to you. Have you checked it out lately? There are so many instant and electronic opportunities now available that make it easier, more convenient, and comfortable to use! Give it a try and see if it doesn’t lighten your financial load. See the TRIP page for more information and as always help is always just a quick question away.

    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.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates

    February

    • 1: Preschool and kindergarten 2023-2024 application open for new families at 9am
    • 7: Wacky Wednesday
    • 16: No school (teacher professional learning)
    • 19: No school (Presidents Day)

    March

    • 2: Kids stuff resale 9am-12pm @ HCHS
    • 14: Spring Concert
    • 21: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm (in person)
    • 22: End of 3rd Quarter
    • 25: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
    • 29-April 7: No school: Spring break

    April

    • 8: School resumes

     

  • South Side Newsletter – January 2024

    South Side Newsletter – January 2024

    Have you walked the halls at South Side and seen all of the amazing student artwork and class projects hanging up? Our students are amazing creators and artists. The arts are such a vital piece of what we do at South Side. Young children are creative by nature – I believe it is one way we image our Father and one way “faith like a child” can be seen. Children take risks, try things, experiment, make messes, and see beauty in small things. Young children also need to learn in concrete ways and with hands-on materials. Art gives them physical things to touch and manipulate. It helps them to learn because it allows them to move and feel and see things. Their thoughts become tangible through art.

    Our Young 5s and Kindergarten classrooms worked really hard on a Christmas musical performance in December. Music is another way we express ourselves artistically. These students learned about Christmas. They took the story of baby Jesus – God with us – and rooted it deep in their hearts throughout the whole month. Then they shared the good news through their songs, acting, and beautiful artwork with each other, some nursing home residents in the area, the other students at South Side, and eventually with their parents through their many performances. I am so proud of them and also immensely blessed by their praises to our Father! I can’t wait to continue on this journey of Christian education with them and with you in the new year.

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    Discover South Side

    Do you or any of your friends or extended family have a prospective preschooler or kindergartener? Are you looking into options for the 2024-2025 school year? We’ll be having our Discovery Night on January 16 from 6-7pm, and we’d love to have you come and explore South Side’s preschool and kindergarten programs! Since we prepare individually for each family visiting this Discovery Night, an RSVP for the Discovery Night is required.

    If you are unable to make it to Discovery Night, you are still welcome to visit Holland Christian Schools in person and see things in action for yourself. Feel free to schedule a campus tour through our Admissions Department at admissions@hollandchristian.org or 616.820.2806. You can begin by filling out our Inquiry Form. Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year begins on February 1, 2024.

    Enrollment for 2024-2025

    Applications for preschool and kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year will open to the public Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9am. Please visit our Apply Page to fill out your online application. Again this year: Current HC families and HC staff will have early access to our 24-25 application. Please apply from January 30 at 9am to January 31 at 9pm.  We thank you for choosing Holland Christian.

    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 (this is, 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!

    To our Parent Board

    Thank you for the wonderful Christmas lunch the Parent Team provided for the staff during the week leading to the Christmas break. Also, thanks for covering the noon recess duties too! The time spent together over lunch was so fun for the teachers. Your generosity and extra thoughtfulness is so very much appreciated.

    Report Cards

    God is so faithful! We can’t believe we’re already nearing the end of the first semester! It officially ends on Friday, January 12 and Report Cards will be available electronically on Friday, January 19. Take some time to celebrate and reflect on the growth your child has already made this year, and let’s continue to find ways to keep challenging your child during the second semester.

    Swimming Lessons

    Swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center are returning for 1st-4th grade students at Holland Christian. Our first and second grade lessons will be March 18-28. More details to come.

    Wacky Wednesdays

    The Parent Board has some fun Wacky Wednesdays planned to spruce up our winter Wednesdays at South Side and Pine Ridge! Here is the schedule:

    • January 17: Pajama Day
    • January 24: Sports Day (Only apparel please- no sports equipment or hats)
    • January 31- School Spirit
    • February 7- Twin Day (find a friend to match with)

    The Winning Class for each week (highest % participation) will win a voucher for a hot chocolate party on a date that works for the class.

    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 the Edustaff Website.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates

    January:

    • 1-5: No school
    • 8: Classes resume
    • 16: Discovery Night at South Side 6pm
    • 17: Pajama Day
    • 12: End of first semester
    • 15: No school (MLK Day)
    • 19: Report Cards live in PowerSchool
    • 24: Sports day (Only apparel please- no sports equipment or hats)
    • 30: Preschool and kindergarten 2023-2024 enrollment open for current HC families at 9am
    • 31: School Spirit

    February:

    • 1:  Preschool and kindergarten 2023-2024 application open for new families at 9am
    • 7: Twin Day (find a friend to match with)
    • 16: No school (Teacher professional learning)
    • 19: No school
  • Forest School Newsletter: January 2024

    Forest School Newsletter: January 2024

    It’s nearly time to ring in the new year! I always find the close of one year and the dawning of the new to be a natural time to thank God for faithfully walking beside us day by day both in the past and forevermore. Through the hard and through the joys, God is good. As a new year dawns, we lay all of our hopes and all of our purpose at God’s feet. We pray that God would continue to hold you and your dear ones close in the new year.

    As we look to the new year our team also begins planning for the 2024-2025 school year. We will soon be in the process of creating class lists for the 2024-2025 school year. Many staff members put a great deal of effort into creating balanced lists for the upcoming school year. Children are paired with teachers and friends in an environment that allows for new relationships to form and flourish. Our priority is each child would be placed in the best learning environment to meet their developing needs. Among other criteria we weigh the following when carefully creating a new class community:

    • Academic progress/needs
    • Relational values/needs with teachers’ style
    • Behavioral balance
    • Friend balance/new friends

    We deeply value your partnership and input but, in order to create a balanced class community, we are not able to accept teacher requests. We commit to give our best to provide each child with a healthy, balanced home away from home and thank you for your understanding.

    All joy be yours in the new year,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Wacky Wednesdays

    Forest Kids, get ready for some wackiness coming after Christmas Break! Wacky Wednesdays are back, starting January 17! The class with the highest percentage of participation each week will earn a class party.

    • January 17 – Camo/Camper Day – Popcorn Party
    • January 24 – Favorite Team Day – Hot Cocoa Party
    • January 31 – Neon/Tie Dye Day – S’more Party Prize
    • February 7 – PJ Day – Pizza Party Prize

    2nd Grade Lost and Found

    There is a table outside the office at Pine Ridge that is growing! If your student is missing something, please check it out.

    Kindergarten Enrollment for 2024-2025

    Current Families of HC: Preschool and Kindergarten enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will be open exclusively to current families from January 30th at 9:00 am to January 31st at 9:00 pm! We thank you for choosing Holland Christian.

    Swim Lessons

    The Holland Aquatic Center will be providing us with swim lessons again this year. Our 1st and 2nd graders will head to the pool April 8-19.

    • 2nd Grade – 9:00am-10:00am
    • 1st Grade – 10:00am-11:00am

    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.

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    January:

    • 8: School resumes
    • 12: End of 2nd quarter
    • 15: No school: MLK Day

    February:

    • 16: No school: Professional Development
    • 19: No school: Professional Development
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: January 2024

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: January 2024

    Announcements

    Skating Party

    January 30 from 6-8pm we will have a combined skating party for South Side and Pine Ridge.  More details coming soon; keep your eyes out for an email later this month!

    Kinderdance

    Kinder Dutch Dance registration is now open! All 3rd-5th grade students are invited to join us. See this flyer for more information, then head here to sign up your child! Practice is held on Tuesday’s in the gym during lunch recess starting February 20th. Email Nicole with questions regarding practice, performances and costumes. Looking forward to growing our group for the 95th Tulip Time Festival!

    Running Clubs

    Boys:
    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.

    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 11th, with a final 5K on May 18th. The TTQ Flyer has the contact information for Kristen Chan 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 4. Please contact the Pine Ridge office if you can help us by being a coach for this event!

    Wacky Wednesdays

    • January 17-Pajama Day
    • January 24-Sports Day
    • January 31-School Spirit
    • February 7-Twin Day (find a friend to match with)

    And the winning class (largest % of students participating from their class each week) will get a hot chocolate party!

    Swimming Lessons

    Swimming lessons will be happening in March and April for 3rd and 4th graders this year! These lessons are provided at the Holland Aquatic Center. More information coming next month.

    Positive Options

    Our Positive Options baby and maternity drive was a success again! Our students brought in a truck full of items to bless the families that use Positive Options services. THANK YOU for helping us share the resources we have with families who need some extra help; this is always such a great lesson and reminder for our student body and staff.

    Thank you from Parent Board

    The Parent Board would like to thank you for your help staffing classroom lunch hours and recess duty so teachers and staff could take some time together for lunch to celebrate Christmas.

    Lost and Found

    The Lost and Found table outside the office at Pine Ridge is growing! If your student is missing something, please check it out.

    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.

    Office Contact Information

    If you need to get in touch with the office, please email Cara Karasiewicz & Kristi Washburn  or call 616.820.3505. Feel free to leave a voicemail or send us an email at any time to excuse your student, let us know about appointments or any changes to your student’s normal pickup routine. It is important the office knows as well as your student’s teacher! Also, when excusing for illness please let us know the symptoms of your child. We need this information to report to the health department.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    January:

    • 8: School resumes
    • 12: End of 2nd quarter
    • 15: No school: MLK Day
    • 30: Skating Party

    February:

    • 16: No school: Professional Development
    • 19: No school: Professional Development
  • Rose Park Newsletter: January 2024

    Rose Park Newsletter: January 2024

    It’s nearly time to ring in the new year! I always find the close of one year and the dawning of the new to be a natural time to thank God for faithfully walking beside us day by day both in the past and forevermore. Through the hard and through the joys, God is good. As a new year dawns, we lay all of our hopes and all of our purpose at God’s feet. We pray that God would continue to hold you and your dear ones close in the new year.

    As we look to the new year our team also begins planning for the 2024-2025 school year. We will soon be in the process of creating class lists for the 2024-2025 school year. Many staff members put a great deal of effort into creating balanced lists for the upcoming school year. Children are paired with teachers and friends in an environment that allows for new relationships to form and flourish. Our priority is each child would be placed in the best learning environment to meet their developing needs. Among other criteria we weigh the following when carefully creating a new class community:

    • Academic progress/needs
    • Relational values/needs with teachers’ style
    • Behavioral balance
    • Friend balance/new friends

    We deeply value your partnership and input but, in order to create a balanced class community, we are not able to accept teacher requests. We commit to give our best to provide each child with a healthy, balanced home away from home and thank you for your understanding.

    Yours in Christ’s service,

    Miska and Katelyn

    Announcements

    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 February 5-February 16.

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

    RP Skating Party (RP students only due to capacity limits)

    Jan 9, 2024, 6-8:00pm

    • $10 per every child and skating adult paid individually upon entry. Skate rentals are free for this event. Kids are welcome to bring their own skates if they wish, but not required as rentals are included.
    • $5 rental each ‘Skate Mate’, we have about 40, on a first come first serve basis.
    • The cafe will be open for students/families to purchase for themselves.

    Rose Park Lost and Found

    The weather is changing and our Lost and Found is growing! Please take a minute to look our Lost and Found photo Album to see if any of these items belong to your student. Feel free to email Katie or Suzanne to claim your items and we will make sure to get it in your student’s backpack. These items will be donated soon.

    Also, please make sure to bring your child’s snow stuff to school every day or leave an extra set at school. In Michigan, the weather can change quickly and we want to make sure your child is warm and comfortable in their outdoor play! Our office has a limited supply of items. If your child borrows an item, we will send it home to be washed and returned for other students to use. We are always looking for extra gloves to add to our supply!

    Discovery Night at Rose Park

    Do you or any of your friends or extended family have a prospective preschooler or kindergartener? Are you looking into options for the 24-25 school year? We’ll be having our Discovery Night on January 18 from 6-7pm, and we’d love to have you come and explore Rose Park’s preschool and kindergarten programs! Since we prepare individually for each family visiting this Discovery Night, an RSVP for the Discovery Night is required.

    If you are unable to make it to Discovery Night, you are still welcome to visit Holland Christian Schools in person and see things in action for yourself. Feel free to schedule a campus tour through by filling out our Inquiry Form. Enrollment for the 24-25 school year begins on February 1, 2024.

    Christmas Break

    No school December 25-January 5 for Christmas break!

    Little Maroons Basketball

    Little Maroons is a Holland Christian winter basketball opportunity for kindergarten-6th graders to develop in both skill and game play. Grades 5-6 have three clinics before Christmas to prepare for their local 5-6 league run through City of Holland Recreation. Register through Active for the Holland Christian sessions and clinics.

    Hot Lunch

    January Hot Lunch Menu

    Calendar

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    December

    • 25-Jan 5: Christmas vacation

    January

    • 8:  Classes resume
    • 8-19: MAP & Delta Testing
    • 12: End of 2nd quarter
    • 15: No school MLK Day
    • 18: Discovery Night at Rose Park
    • 19: Report cards available online