Spring is such a special and hopeful time here in Michigan. It reminds me that even the coldest and greyest of winters will eventually turn into blue skies and sunny days. This month we focused our attention on discipleship and what it means to follow and lead. It is easy for some of us to want to lead and even in those moments we are reminded that Jesus is the ultimate leader of his flock. We used our chapel group time to talk about the path in which the Lord leads and guides us; we also found ways to see the Lord in nature and our daily lives. We are grateful at Pine Ridge for a school that helps us stay focused on who we are as children of God and disciples to a wonderful King. I pray this spring gives you a chance to reflect and see the paths in which the Lord has called us to.
Joyfully serving,
Dinah
Announcements
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are coming up! You should have received an email on February 12 from the administration office with instructions on how to register for conferences. If you need them resent or are having trouble, please email the office. Please remember to note the time and date as the office does not have access to teacher schedules.
- Thursday, March 26: 4-8pm
- Monday, March 30: 4-8pm
Spring Program
Pine Ridge, along with South Side and Forest School will be holding our Spring Program on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30-7:30pm at Christ Memorial. Our students should arrive between 6:00-6:15 to meet with their teachers in the lobby. Families will head into the sanctuary to be seated by 6:20. Please remember this will be a packed house event! Squeeze in as many as you can to each row.
Food Services is Hiring!
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.
From Parent Board
Parents! We would love to support our Pine Ridge teachers with a meal for parent-teacher conferences on March 26. Please sign up at Pine Ridge Conference Meal Sign Up
Doughnuts at Dawn
Parent Board will be hosting Donuts at Dawn on March 6 as a special time for students to gather with a parent or other special adult for a treat in the gym before school. Please join us at 7:45am in the gym! Due to space, please bring only one adult. Younger (non school aged!) siblings are welcome. PR Donuts at Dawn invite
5th Grade Families
Save the Date: April 23. 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. More details to come as we get closer.
Student Life & Discipleship Practices
THANK YOU to those who helped make the Winter Olympics a success at Pine Ridge this past month! It is so cool to see what creative ideas kids can come up with through indoor and outdoor engineering. Pine Ridgers have worked hard to show their growth and understanding of what it means to live like a disciple and follow our PR expectations. These last few months of school do sometimes bring the need to re-teach and re-emphasis some of the expectations, but students are willing and ready to help each other. We remind students of our call to be “community growing” and “God glorifying” as we learn and play. Practice Respect, Practice Responsibility, Practice positive Relationships.
Lost & Found
The lost and found album is updated regularly. Please keep checking it out and having your child claim the things that belong to you!
Pine Ridge Carpool Line
Please remember that you may turn only right out of the parking lot between 3:15-3:45pm 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 drop off (and pickup!) so we can fit as many cars in as possible. We cannot stop in the circle for any reason during those times.
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!
Swimming Lessons
Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons for two weeks during the school day each year through the Holland Aquatic Center. 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, even if this program is a little uncomfortable for some children. 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 May 11- 22 for 3rd and 4th graders this year.
Moms in Prayer
Moms in Prayer meets Fridays at Providence Church across from HCMS from 8:30-9:30am. We look forward to welcoming any moms who would like to partner in prayer for this school year! Please email Nicole Shook for any questions.
HC Technology Reminders
Personal technology items are not allowed to be used or be visible from the time a student enters school in the morning until the final bell rings. Please do not send personal technology to school including smartwatches. If such items are seen by a teacher, the student will be asked to put them in their backpack for the remainder of the day and take them home; if seen a second time, the item will be placed in the office for a parent to pick up at the end of the day.
If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send an email to or call the office to have a note delivered. Thank you for helping us make learning a priority!
Medications at School
As a reminder, no student may be in possession of any medication over the counter or otherwise. The only exceptions are an epipen or inhaler with the correct forms completed in the office!
Food Services
Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s online lunch portal if they take hot lunch. If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful. If there is a change in your phone number or address at any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.
Elementary Handbook
The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, technology policy, etc.
Important Website Links
Calendar
March:
- 12: Spring Program at Christ Memorial
- 13: End of 3rd quarter
- 16: No School: Teacher Work Day
- 20: Report cards
- 26: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
- 30: Parent-teacher conferences 4-8pm
April:
- 3-10: No school: Spring Break
- 13: School resumes
One of our Discipleship Practices at South Side is Servant Living. Students learn to look beyond themselves by considering others’ perspectives, noticing needs, and finding ways to help those around them. These important lessons are woven into everyday classroom life. Students hear stories about people who serve others, practice sharing and cooperating with classmates, and take responsibility for caring for their learning spaces — even helping pick up paper scraps at the end of the day.
An essential part of discipleship is knowing the Word of God. Each Tuesday morning, some students and faculty gather for a Public Reading of Scripture. Simply hearing God’s Word proclaimed shapes us, grounds us, and reminds us of what is true.
