Holland Christian Schools

Category: School Newsletters

  • Forest School Newsletter: September 2025

    Forest School Newsletter: September 2025

    Dear Forest Families,

    Thank you for all of your support, prayers, feedback and commitment at the start of this new school year. Together we are grateful for a smooth launch to all that God has in store for us together in 25-26! It is an absolute JOY to have our learning spaces filled with the LIFE your children bring to us! I pray that our relationship continues to be marked in truth, respect, care and love.

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

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

    All joy and thanksgiving,

    Miska

    Announcements

    Walkathon

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

    Walkathon forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack soon and are due back by Wednesday, September 18. The Walkathon event will take place at on Wednesday, September 24. Thank you for helping to keep our Forest School thriving!

    Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 25-26

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

    Food Services

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

    Picture Day

    Forest School’s kindergarten & 1st grade picture day is September 4, and order forms were sent home with students. If you are ordering a yearbook, this will be the time to do that also. Please note that each form is child-specific, so please make sure each child has their own form. Picture retakes will be October 6 for kindergarten & 1st grade.

    2nd Forest Kids’ school pictures will be taken on September 18 at Pine Ridge. Forms will be coming home soon for these!

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

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

    Absences

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

    Student Safety

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

    Moms in Prayer

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

    Parent Teacher Conferences

    Parent teacher conferences will be October 17 and 21. More information will be coming later this month.

    Elementary Handbook

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

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    September

    • 1: No school Labor Day
    • 4: K & 1st Picture Day
    • 19: 2nd grade Picture Day
    • 24: Walkathon

    October

    • 6: K & 1st Picture Retakes
    • 16: Parent-teacher conferences
    • 20:Parent-teacher conferences
    • 22-24: No school: CEA Convention
    • 29: 2nd grade Picture Retakes
  • Middle School Newsletter: September 2025

    Middle School Newsletter: September 2025

    The middle school year is off to a great start!

    We opened the year in chapel by reflecting on the story of the Good Samaritan. From this story, we highlighted three truths: love crosses differences, love is demonstrated in action, and small actions can make a big difference.

    We reminded students that genuine love does not remain an idea or feeling—it shows up in the way we live. Love takes the form of kindness in our words, generosity in our choices, and courage in our relationships. For our students, this can look as simple and powerful as inviting someone to sit with them at lunch, including a classmate who might otherwise be left out, standing up for someone in need, or showing hospitality in everyday ways. These small acts may seem ordinary, but they carry an extraordinary impact in building a community where every child knows they are seen, known and valued. We talked about how we never want someone to feel “less than” because they are a different race or have cultural differences through spoken, written words, or with body language. The world may even say it is ok to make fun of someone who is different. Don’t follow that bad advice. Follow Jesus’ advice of loving each other. Everyone God puts in our path is our neighbor.

    As Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:3–4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” May these words shape our hearts and actions as we begin this new school year together.

    As we nurture the hearts of our students together, take time to teach your sons and daughters to love each person they come in contact with.

    God bless,

    Tom Strikwerda, HCMS Principal

    September at HCMS

    Parent Night Follow Up

    Thanks to all who came to parent night. Following are links for each grade level that let you know many important details about each grade level. Take some time to look through the appropriate link or links for your students’ grades. A lot of this info was shared at Parent night last night:

    Also if you weren’t able to attend parent night, please stop by sometime and write a positive note to your kids that we will place in their locker.

    MS Chapel

    Chapels this year will take place at the high school most Wednesdays. Please keep this in mind when scheduling appointments.

    House System

    Last week 6th graders and new students and staff have all been put into a house (Dunes, Lake, Lighthouse or Windmill), and now students can earn points for various positive things. We also just had our first house competition being the tug of war on Thursday. If you would like to sign up for notifications regarding your child’s progress, please email the office at ms@hollandchristian.org.

    Parent Team

    Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We coordinate the annual walkathon, plan fun events for the students, support our awesome teachers and end the year with an AMAZING 8th grade graduation party! We meet multiple times throughout the year on Tuesday mornings at 8am. The time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule. Contact Kate Dirkse if you’re interested in joining the team!

    MAP Testing

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

    • Tuesday, September 9 8-9:10am
    • Wednesday, September 10 9-11:30am

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

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

    Please contact the middle school at ms@hollandchristian.org with any questions.

    Important Dates

    The full 25-26 school calendar is available here

    September

    • 1: Labor Day, no school
    • 4: Picture make-up day (for students who missed Orientation/Open House)
    • 9: 7th grade vision screening
    • 24: Walkathon

    October

    • 2: Fall Parent-teacher Conferences (3:30-6:30pm)
    • 6: Picture retakes
    • 9: Fall Parent-teacher Conferences (5:30-8:30pm)
    • 21: End of quarter 1
    • 22-24: No school, CEA Convention
  • South Side Newsletter: August 2025

    South Side Newsletter: August 2025

    Our theme this year is JOY of the LORD! Psalm 16:11 tells us that in God’s presence “there is fullness of joy.” I’m so excited to celebrate this theme with our students. And to be honest, I think that the students will be able to share a lot with me this year about joy.

    Joy is something that often radiates from young children. One of the darkest and saddest seasons of my life was years ago when my mother passed away suddenly. As we would gather as an extended family to process and to grieve, we were constantly struck by the presence of my two sons and my nephew. They were ages 1-4 and they brought to our gatherings joy and hope at a time when joy was sparse.

    This year, when you or your children come into South Side, I pray that the JOY of the LORD will radiate from our classrooms, our playground, our actions, and our words. I hope that you leave with more of God’s full joy than you came in with. I’m excited to see this joy in action at our ice cream social as students see their friends again, on the first day of school as they open up their new box of crayons or markers, and throughout the year as they learn about God, His creation, and the unique way he has gifted them.

    Blessings,

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    Class Lists & School Supplies

    We are so excited to welcome your child back to school! Class lists were sent to your email. Please let us know if you did not receive this communication. Here is the list of school supplies for each grade level/class preschool through 2nd grade.

    Parent Information Nights

    This will be a night where just parents come to meet Mrs. Haig and your child’s classroom teacher. You’ll be able to ask more detailed questions about your child’s school and classroom experience.

    • 3s/4s Preschool: Tuesday, August 12 @ 6:30pm
    • Young 5s – 2nd grade: Thursday August 21 @ 5:30pm-6:30pm

    Ice Cream Social

    On Thursday, August 14, 6-7pm, all preschool-2nd graders and their families are invited to come together and walk through their classrooms, meet their teachers, find their lockers–all the fun things about starting a new school year! Once your family has had a chance to do that, everyone heads out to the playground to enjoy an ice cream sundae bar and fellowship as a school community.

    First Days of School

    • Our first day of school is a full day, Tuesday, August 19.
    • 3-day preschool and 3-day young 5s students enjoy their first day on Wednesday, August 20.
    • Dismissal will be at 11:15am for AM preschool students and 3:15pm for full-day preschool students and Young 5 – 2nd grade students

    Drop-off/Pick-up Procedures

    We ask that you adhere to the following traffic policies for Drop-Off and Pick-Up as specified. We appreciate your cooperation and doing your part to keep our children entering and exiting school safely each day. Please note that in the mornings the front doors will be locked until 7:50am.

    Picture Day

    For those of you planning ahead, South Side’s picture day is Wednesday, September 17. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you are ordering a yearbook this will be the time to do that also.

    Medication at School

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

    Absences

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

    Summer Office Hours

    The South Side office will be open starting August 4 on Mondays-Fridays from 9am-3pm until school starts. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Student Safety

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

    PowerSchool

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

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

    Elementary Handbook

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

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    August

    • 12: Preschool parent night 6:30pm
    • 14: PreK-2nd grade Ice Cream Social 6-7pm
    • 19: First day of school
    • 21: Y5-2nd Parent Information Night 6:30pm
    • 27: All School Convocation
    • 29: No school: Labor Day weekend

    September

    • 1: No school: Labor Day
    • 17: PreK-2nd picture day
    • 24: Walkathon

    October

    • 16: Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • 20: Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • 23-25: CEA Convention: No school
  • Rose Park Newsletter: August 2025

    Rose Park Newsletter: August 2025

    Rose Park Families,

    I don’t know about you, but I find summer to be a time full of joy and excitement! The glee on a child’s face as they find confidence in their swimming ability or when they’ve found the biggest blueberry in the patch. The laughter that rings from a group of friends out kayaking, fishing, or tubing. I hope and pray there has been joy surrounding you and your family in big and small ways this summer, and I pray that continues as we shift into fall.

    It’s officially back to school season! Our faculty and staff have been busy preparing for the school year and to greet your children at Rose Park. I am excited to see all the growth that the upcoming school year will bring! I have been praying for God to bless each child and family as you transition from summer into fall. Our theme this year is Joy of the Lord! We will spend much time talking about this them in our chapels, classrooms, and community events this year. My deep hope for us is that we would be encouraged to live into divine JOY, as we are reminded in both the Psalms and Nehemiah:

    “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

    “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)

    Grateful to partner with you and looking forward to a joy-filled year ahead,

    Katelyn Roskamp,
    Rose Park principal

    Annoucements:

    Class Lists & School Supplies

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

    Parent Information Nights

    This will be a night where just parents come to meet with your child’s classroom teacher. You’ll be able to ask more detailed questions about your child’s school and classroom experience.

    • 3s/4s Preschool Parents: Tuesday, August 12 @ 6:30pm
    • Y5 – 5th grade Parents: Thursday, August 21 @ 6:00-7:30pm

    Ice Cream Social

    Thursday, August 14 6-7pm: This is an evening where all preschool-5th graders come together with their families and walk through their classrooms, meet their teacher, find their lockers–all the fun things about starting a new school year! Once your family has had a chance to do that, then everyone heads out to the playground to enjoy ice cream and fellowship as a school community.

    First Day of School

    Our first day of school is a full day, Tuesday, August 19. The day begins in the classroom at 8:15. Dismissal will be at 3:15. Parents can feel free to walk their student into school on the first day, and following that we ask that all Y5-5th grade students enter the building independently via the front doors!

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

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

    Food Services

    25-26 lunch prices for elementary students will be $3.25.

    If you received free or reduced lunch benefits in the 24-25 school year, those benefits will expire on September 30, 2025, and you will need to reapply for lunch benefits. To deposit money into your child’s lunch account or to apply for free/reduced lunch benefits, please go to Family Portal. There is no fee to use this service and the portal will be ready to receive deposits after August 15. If you have any questions, please email Sue Lambers.

    August Hot Lunch Menu

    Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 25-26

    All students entering preschool, kindergarten, and new transfers have a variety of paperwork that needs to be filled out and turned in by August 4, 2025!

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

    Waiver Information:

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

    If your child with a waiver is returning to Holland Christian for the 25-26 school year and moving from:

    • 3s preschool to 4s preschool: Current waiver on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the waiver.
    • 3s/4s preschool to Young 5s: New waiver needed; schedule an appointment with your local county health department.
    • 4s preschool to kindergarten: New waiver needed; schedule an appointment with your local county health department.
    • Young 5s to kindergarten: Current waiver on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the waiver.

    Contact the Rose Park school office if you have any questions at 616.820.4055 or email us.

    Medications at School

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

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

    Picture Day

    For those of you really planning ahead, Rose Park picture day is September 10-11. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you are ordering a yearbook this will be the time to do that also.

    Absences

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

    Transportation

    For complete busing details, please visit our Transportation page.

    Student Safety

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

    PowerSchool

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

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

    Moms In Prayer

    Our Rose Park Moms in Prayer group will begin meeting again this fall and we would love to have you join us on Wednesdays at 8:15am at Rose Park. We generally meet for 45 minutes to an hour. During this time, we use prayer guides provided by the international organization Moms in Prayer, which walk us through adoration, silent confession, thanksgiving and supplication. The supplication section gives an opportunity to pray scripture for our children as well as the teachers and staff of Rose Park.

    I have been a part of this small group for the past two years which has grown my love for prayer. It is such an encouragement to hear other women lift up my children in prayer and a privilege to be able to do the same for theirs. I think one of the most profound things I have learned is the gift of carving out time for adoration– praising God for who He is. Even on mornings when I am dragging my feet or don’t necessarily feel like I have the capacity for praying deeply, I am blessed by the change in perspective that slowing down and praising God brings, especially when done with other women.

    If you have any questions on Moms in Prayer, please feel free to call or text me any time: Amanda DeVries 616.201.7402

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    August

    • 14: Ice Cream Social @ 6-7pm
    • 19: 1st day of school 8:15am-3:15pm
    • 21: Parent Information Night 6:00-7:30pm
    • 27: All School Convocation
    • 29: No school: Labor Day

    September

    • 1: No school: Labor Day
    • 24: Walkathon
  • Forest School Newsletter: August 2025

    Forest School Newsletter: August 2025

    Dear Forest Families,

    After a beautiful summer of restoration, adventures, new ideas, and many relaxing walks with God, we’re gearing up for the 25.26 school year with so much joy and excitement! We pray summer has been (and still is!!!) a blessing for your family as well! In our partnership between home and school this year we will be unpacking our school theme “The Joy of the Lord.” For our tender children’s hearts and growth, let’s do this together. If you’re able, please find a quiet moment in your day to prayerfully consider these words from our HC Director of Faith Formation, Bryant Russ, regarding our theme. This is the learning and ponderings we get to bring to your child all year:

    The LORD’s joy is woven throughout Scripture and creation itself. From the very beginning, joy permeates all that
    God made, as seen in the refrain of Genesis 1—“And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:4, 12, 18, 21, 25).
    Divine joy is the source of strength for God’s people, as Nehemiah reminded the Israelites: “The joy of the Lord is
    your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Psalm 16 declares that fullness of joy is found in found only in God’s presence (v.
    11). Even Jesus, in the face of terrible suffering, was empowered to endure the cross “for the joy set before him”
    (Hebrews 12:2). In his letter to the church in Rome, Paul says that God fills His people with joy and peace as we
    trust in Him, resulting in an overflow of hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
    …I wonder if we’ve underestimated the God of the Bible. Is “joy” one of the first words that comes to mind
    when we think of God? It should be! Pastor John Mark Comer said that, likewise “Joy is the defining feature of a life
    organized around God.”

    What if the joy of the LORD became the defining characteristic of our school system?
    What if joy permeated conversations on the playground, in classrooms, and in our homes?
    What if the joy enabled the kind of vulnerability that builds authentic community?
    What if joy gave a context for hardship, allowing us to do difficult things with courage?
    What if joy paved the way for generosity, humility, and service?
    What if joy laid the foundation for worshipful curiosity and inspired lifelong discovery?

    Let’s come close to God together this year, so that His joy permeates everything that we do!

    Yours in partnership,
    Miska

    “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11)

    Announcements

    Forest Family Updates

    We are grateful to announce two new staff positions:

    • Beth Bull is taking the role as lead teacher in first grade.
    • Melissa Sedjo will be joining Beth in her classroom as teacher assistant for our first graders.

    Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 25-26

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

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

    Waiver Information:

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

    If your child with a waiver is returning student to Holland Christian for the 24-25 school year and moving from:

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

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

    Summer Office Hours

    The Pine Ridge/Forest School office will be open starting August 4 on Mondays-Fridays from 9am-3pm until school starts. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Food Services

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

    Medications at School

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

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

    Class Lists & School Supplies

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

    Back to School Night:

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

    • Kindergarten + First Grade at the cabins: August 14 from 6-7pm
    • Second Grade starting and finishing at Pine Ridge (with a bus ride to the Ridge): August 12, 6:15-7:30pm

    Parent Night:

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

    • Forest School Kindergarten: Monday, August 25, 6pm in kindergarten cabins, for parents only
    • Forest School 1st grade: Monday, August 25, 6:30pm in 1st grade cabins, for parents only

    First Day of School

    Our first day of school is a full day, Tuesday, August 19. The day begins in the classroom at 8:20am. Dismissal will be at the following times:

    • K-1st grade students will be dismissed at 3:20pm at our cabin campus (880 Ottawa Avenue)
    • Second grade students will be dismissed at 3:15pm at Pine Ridge Elementary School (we affectionally call this our “depot”)

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

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

    Picture Day

    For those of you really planning ahead, Forest School’s K & 1 picture day is September 4. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you are ordering a yearbook this will be the time to do that also. Second Grade Forest Kids’ school pictures will be taken on September 18 at Pine Ridge.

    Absences

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

    Transportation

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

    Student Safety

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

    Moms in Prayer

    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, starting September 6th at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

    PowerSchool

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

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

    Elementary Handbook

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

    Important Website Links

    Upcoming Dates:

    View the full Holland Christian calendar

    August

    • 12: 2nd grade parent+student Night @ 6:15-7:30pm starting and ending at Pine Ridge.
    • 14: Kindergarten & 1st Grade Parent+Student Open House @ 6-7pm
    • 19: 1st day of school
    • 25: K & 1st Parent Information Night 6pm (K) & 6:30pm (1st)
    • 29: No school: Labor Day

    September

    • 1: No school Labor Day
    • 4: K & 1st Picture Day
    • 18: 2nd grade Picture Day
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: August 2025

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: August 2025

    Welcome (almost) back to school!

    We have been blessed with an amazingly sunny and warm summer! I hope that you have been able to enjoy time with family and friends. In the coming weeks, we will be preparing our spaces and our hearts to welcome each student—both those returning and those joining us for the first time—who enters the doors at Pine Ridge. We are excited for the learning and growth that we know will happen this coming school year. At Holland Christian, we are blessed with leaders who prayerfully consider how and where we should lean our hearts each year. This year’s theme and “leaning” will be the Joy of the Lord as we focus on Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.” What an exciting leaning that we will experience together this year! I have already started to pray for each family as you start to wind down your summer schedules and gear up for school to start. I am excited to see you all on August 14 for our Ice Cream Social, and pray for a fruitful rest of the summer!

    In partnership with you,
    Mrs. Dinah Pereira
    Principal, Pine Ridge

    Announcements

    Pine Ridge Carpool Line

    As we look to start the new school year it is a good time to introduce our parking lot procedures to our new families, and remind our current families of the procedures!

    • To drop off, please use the entrance off of Graafschap Road. Go around the entire circle, (stopping in the circle will impede bus traffic) and stop by the sidewalk in front of the building.
    • To pick up, also use the entrance off of Graafschap Road. Go around the entire circle and join a line that will form along the sidewalk and park. The lines begin by the bike racks. Two parallel lines are used for pickup. For the safety of the students, please stay parked until the teacher permits you to leave.

    Students who are not riding the bus home MUST be picked up in this carpool pick up. For student safety, we cannot allow students to be picked up in the parking lot by the baseball field. Students who live within walking or biking distance may be permitted to travel home independently with parental permission, as well as children of staff members who will be walking to the Forest School or High School.

    Ice Cream Social

    Our Ice Cream Social will be held on Thursday, August 14 from 6:30-7:30pm as an open house format. You are welcome to visit the classroom, meet your child’s teacher, bring in your child’s school supplies, and enjoy some ice cream. For those who need it, here is the Supply List.

    Parent Night: Meet the Teacher

    A kid-free evening from 6:45-8pm! This Parent Night is for parents only and allows for teachers and parents to talk through information that is pertinent for the year. A more detailed schedule with grade level times is coming soon. In case you need them, here are the Class lists!

    Summer Office Hours

    The Pine Ridge/Forest School office will be open starting August 4 on Mondays-Fridays from 9am-3pm until school starts. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Health Appraisal and Immunization Records

    All students must be up-to-date on their immunizations BEFORE they start the new school year. As you schedule your well-child appointments with your healthcare provider, please be aware these evaluations will need to be completed. Any students without the required immunizations or approved waivers will not be allowed to begin school until they are complete and approved by the State of Michigan. We are grateful for your help with this!

    Medications at School

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

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

    Food Services

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

    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. PowerSchool parent information, including passwords and usernames, will be e-mailed to parents at the beginning of the year or provided to you upon enrollment if you enroll mid-year. If there is a change in your phone number or address at any time during the school year, it is important that are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.

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

    Elementary Handbook

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

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    August:

    • 4: Office is open daily from 9am-3pm
    • 14: Ice Cream Social
    • 19: First day PK-12
    • 21: Parent Night
    • 29: No school: Labor Day

    September:

    • 1: No school: Labor Day
    • 2: School resumes
    • 18: School pictures
  • High School Newsletter: August 2025

    High School Newsletter: August 2025

    Dear HCHS Community,

    Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! As a faculty and staff we are full of gratitude and anticipation as we welcome both returning families and those joining us for the first time. It is a profound joy to continue the mission of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ, and we are honored to partner with you in this sacred calling.

    This year, we are excited to deepen our mission through several updates to our school: renovated industrial arts facilities, new equipment in our weight room, a continually growing international program, a strengthened commitment to rigorous academics and integrating faith in every classroom, and much more. As we continue cultivating the part of God’s garden entrusted to us, thank you for your faithful partnership.

    Our spiritual theme for the school year is “The Joy of the Lord,” rooted in Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

    In a world brimming with noise and distraction, we believe true joy is found not in circumstances, but being in the presence of God. Under the leadership of Mr. Bryant Russ, HC’s Director of Faith Formation, we will explore how this joy can shape our HC community. We will reflect together in chapel, spiritual retreats, and small groups on how joy flows from God’s nearness (Zephaniah 3:17), leads us in practicing the way of Jesus, and gives us strength for each day (Nehemiah 8:10).

    This kind of joy is not fleeting emotion, but a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), anchored in Christ who says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). Our prayer is that this joy will saturate every part of our community—from our worship to our learning, from our friendships to our work—so that all who enter may sense the gladness that comes from knowing and walking with Jesus.

    We are also especially grateful for our incredible custodial and maintenance team, who have spent the summer deep cleaning every classroom and office, repairing and refreshing our spaces, and ensuring that our building is a welcoming and healthy environment for all. Please be sure to thank them personally upon your return. They are a vital part of the joy and excellence we seek to embody at HCHS.

    We are also thankful to provide you with some exciting updates to our faculty and staff and welcome new members to the team:

    • Mr. Joe Brunson: Math Teacher
    • Ms. Taylor Byrne: Spanish Teacher
    • Mr. Clenon Fincher: Science Teacher
    • Mr. Ian Grell: English Teacher
    • Ms. Lisa Klamer: Athletic Administrative Assistant
    • Ms. Katherine Lamer: Math Teacher
    • Ms. Suzanne Rutherford: (Update) HC2 Secondary Schools Coordinator
    • Ms. Sarah Terpstra: English Teacher
    • Ms. Nona Westfall: (Update) Head Custodian

    Throughout our hiring process, it was evident that each of these individuals is not only professionally gifted, but also deeply rooted in their faith and desire to serve Jesus through education. We are thrilled to welcome them and look forward to the ways they will enrich our school community.

    Finally, as we prepare for the school year, we encourage you to carefully read this Back to School Newsletter to ensure a smooth and joyful start to the year.

    Thank you for your ongoing support and your commitment to making Holland Christian a place where God is known, joy is present, and lives are transformed.

    With thanks,

    Miles Colago, HS principal

    2025-26 Information

    First Day of School

    All students report on Tuesday, August 19, at 8am. Be sure to have your class schedule with you.

    School Supplies

    Holland Christian High School does not have a required list of school supplies for students to purchase, except that math students will need a TI-83 or TI-84 calculator. School supply preferences will vary from student to student.

    New to Holland Christian High School?

    Our New Family Information Booklet was created to help new families transition into HCHS. We hope you find the information helpful!

    Freshman Orientation – August 18

    All freshmen will be part of our Freshman Orientation Day. This day is to be a transition day that creates a sense of belonging for incoming students and an overall supportive and positive atmosphere on our campus. The first day for freshmen will be Monday, August 18, at 8am. Senior class leaders will lead incoming freshmen in small group games, mixers, and a scavenger hunt around the school. Students will be given a copy of their schedule and meet their teachers for a few minutes in each class. All freshmen will also receive their laptops at this time, if their check-in documents have been completed. Students will be treated to a pizza lunch and will be dismissed at 11:30am. After this, freshmen can stop on Main Street between 11:30am – 12:30pm for pictures. Concussion testing will take place in the cafeteria after lunch. All students who plan to play any sport must complete a baseline concussion test. Stop in the cafeteria from 12-3 to complete your testing.

    New 10th – 12th Grade Students

    New 10th – 12th grade students will have an orientation on Monday, August 18 from 9am-12:30pm. Lunch is included.

    Check-In/Picture Day

    Check-in day is Monday, August 18 and will take place on Main Street from 11:30am – 3pm. This is a chance for you to have your picture taken for your student ID, walk around the building and find your locker, deposit money into your hot lunch account, and pick up a parking permit (if driving).

    Parent Laptop Handbook and Check-In Day Forms

    Please review the laptop handbook and complete the required check-in day forms. These forms need to be completed before you will be given your laptop. These forms include the student handbook agreement, laptop agreement, cheating/plagiarism, concussion awareness, and field trip/medical treatment permission. Please note that you will need to enter your student ID number in order to complete these forms. These student numbers can be found in Power School (if you are a returning HC student it is the number you already have).

    Laptops

    Incoming freshmen will receive their laptops during freshmen orientation. New 10th – 12th students will receive their laptops during new student orientation. Returning students will receive their laptops on the first day of school provided they have completed the check-in day forms.

    Textbooks

    • Students will pick up textbooks from the Bookstore, located in the hallway near the Auditorium, Counseling, and Athletic Offices. Students should bring a backpack to carry their books home from school or may leave books in their assigned locker. ALL students will need to pick up textbooks.
    • Bring your HC student ID (from ANY year; your barcode is the same). This will help speed up the checkout process!!!
    • To help avoid long lines, students are encouraged to get their textbooks during the following times:
      • 9th & 12th grades: 11:30am-12:30pm
      • 10th & 11th grades: 1:00-2:30pm:
    • If you have any textbooks at home from previous years, PLEASE bring them back ASAP! We need them to make sure we have enough to distribute on August 18. Thank you for your help with this. If you have lost your books, please bring in the replacement fee. If you have any questions, please email Kim Hekman. Thank you!  Mrs. Hekman

    Photos

    All students (including seniors) must have their picture taken whether or not the pictures are purchased. These pictures are necessary for the yearbook, student transcripts, I.D.’s, and for our student management software. Seniors, this picture will be on your high school transcript.  You can order online ahead of time from Geskus, or you can send the flyer Geskus mailed out and payment with your student on check in day.

    To help speed the picture taking process, we will use the following schedule:

    • 9th Grade: 11:30am – 12:30pm
    • 12th Grade: 11:30am – 12:30pm
    • 10th Grade: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
    • 11th Grade: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
    • Anyone: 2:30pm – 3:00pm

    Picture Makeup day will be Thursday, September 5.

    Senior Picture Information – Click here for details on Senior Pictures. The deadline for senior pictures is September 22.

    Schedule and PowerSchool Information

    The daily schedule consists of 4 block days, and on Fridays students will have all seven classes in one day; it can be found HS Schedule Google Doc. The last day of the first semester is January 12 and exams will be January 13-16. Second semester begins on January 20.

    The High School uses PowerSchool for accessing student schedules, tracking grades, attendance, and family contact information. Student schedules will be available in PowerSchool on August 8 at ps.dev.hollandchristian.org. Parents can log in with the username and password you created in a previous year. Parents of students coming from Zeeland Christian and other students new to HC will be sent information for creating a PowerSchool account. If you detect any errors or need to make changes to your schedule, please complete the schedule change form on our Registrar page.

    Closed Campus

    HCHS is a closed campus. Sometimes parents may like to take their student out for lunch. Parents may take only their own student out for lunch and must personally check them out of the office. Youth leaders or older siblings (out of high school) may also take students out for lunch by signing them out in the office. Seniors do have the privilege of going off-campus for lunch on Fridays only.

    Food Services

    25/26 Meal Prices:

    • High School  $3.75
    • Free $0.00
    • Reduced $ .40
    • Milk $.75
    • Adult  $5.00

    To deposit money in your child’s lunch account or to apply for free/reduced lunch benefits please go to Family Portal. There is no fee to use this service. The portal will be ready to receive deposits after August 15. If you were receiving free or reduced lunch benefits in the 24/25 school year those benefits will expire on September 30, 2025, so you will need to reapply for lunch benefits at Family Portal. If you have any questions please email Sue at slambers@hollandchristian.org

    Extracurricular Information

    There is a “Pay to Participate Fee” charge of $100 to all students involved in extracurricular activities to help offset some of the costs of the program. For athletics, this fee will be paid through the student’s Final Forms account; for all other activities, this fee will be collected by the director of the activity and must be paid immediately following the selection or determination of the activity participants.

    Athletics Information

    Fall sports begin on August 11 for high school athletes and on August 18 for middle school athletes. Practice and game schedules for each sport as well as tickets and sports passes can be found through Eventlink (or maroonsathletics.org).

    There is a “Pay to Participate Fee” of $100 to all students involved in athletics to help offset some of the costs of the program. This fee will be paid through the student’s Final Forms account. Please have payment in by the second week of the season. All athletes must be registered through FinalForms along with a picture of their cleared physical uploaded to their account in order to participate. Coaches utilize FinalForms to communicate upcoming information to athletes and families. Learn more about Finalforms and Eventlink.

    Athletic Parent Night is scheduled for August 19 @ 7pm in the HS Auditorium. Parents of all middle school and high school athletes are invited to attend! In addition to athletic training and some general information, our keynote speaker is Austin Hatch. Following the opening session in the auditorium, high school fall sports will each have their individual sport parent meetings.

    Partner with CHAMPS – our athletic fundraiser arm – to support student athletes! One way to partner is to buy a CHAMPS coupon book.  For more opportunities, see our CHAMPS Athletic Boosters page.

    Sports Passes are now available for the 25-26 school year!  This link takes you to the ticket webpage and then click on the “Season Passes” tab to see options and purchase passes!

    Fine Arts Department

    Fall Musical: Pride and Prejudice!

    This Fall, we are proud to present the brand new musical, Pride and Prejudice! Based on the beloved novel by Jane Austen, the story follows clever and headstrong Elizabeth Bennet and her family, who are facing mounting pressure to marry off five daughters before their estate is inherited by a distant cousin. The family’s situation is complicated by the arrival of two gentlemen in their town: charming and wealthy Mr. Bingley, who instantly forms a crush on the eldest Bennet sister, and Mr. Darcy, his pompous and cold friend who becomes Elizabeth’s nemesis after a disastrous first encounter. As Bingley and Jane’s romance keeps pulling them into each other’s orbits, Elizabeth and Darcy find themselves sparring over their ideas of love, freedom and happiness. Their fiery exchanges and mutual disdain only seem to deepen, but underneath it all, something more complicated stirs. Can their intense animosity evolve into something deeper, or will their pride and prejudice tear them apart forever?  The first day of auditions is Wednesday, August 20. Any interested students can sign up on the Pride and Prejudice audition form! If you have any questions about the musical or the audition process, please contact Mrs. Davis at jdavis@hollandchristian.org  We look forward to seeing you all in August!

    General Information

    Public Reading of Scripture (PRS)

    Parents, students and staff are invited to join us every Tuesday morning from 7:30-7:50am in the High School Cafeteria for Public Reading of Scripture. Light food and coffee are provided. We will be reading from the Old Testament.

    In addition, students and staff are invited to attend PRS every Tuesday during lunch from 11:00-11:30am in room 267 (Art Room). Lunch will be provided! RSVP is not required but helpful! We’ll be reading from the New Testament.

    Important Dates

    Full School calendar

    Save the Date: Parent Night

    We will be hosting our annual Parent Night on Tuesday, September 2 at 6:30pm. More details will be sent out; please add this event to your calendar.

    Reserve these important dates on your fall calendar:

    August

    • 7: Fall sports tryouts start
    • 15/16: Senior Camp
    • 18: Freshman orientation day/picture day (lunch included)  (8:00-11:30am)
    • 18: Student check in/picture day (11:30-3:00pm)
    • 18: New students (non-freshman) 9:00am-12:15pm (lunch included)
    • 19: All students report (full day)
    • 27: All School Convocation
    • 29: Labor Day weekend, no school

    September

    • 1: Labor Day, no school
    • 2: Parent night (6:30pm)
    • 22: Senior picture deadline
    • 27: Homecoming dance
  • Middle School Newsletter: August 2025

    Middle School Newsletter: August 2025

    Dear Parents,

    Welcome to a brand new school year at HCMS! As we prepare to open our doors to students, our hearts are full of JOY, the theme for this year. In a world that can often feel heavy, we are leaning into the joy that comes from being rooted in Christ and walking in community with one another. As Romans 15:13 reminds us: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

    We are excited to welcome 317 students this year—a notable increase from last year’s 292. With this growth, we continue to strengthen programs and staff in ways that reflect our mission and support students flourishing.

    One exciting change is the addition of an Assistant Principal position at the middle school. We’re thrilled that Mr. Tyler Johns, who previously served as our Behavior Interventionist, is stepping into this new role. Mr. Johns has made a big impact through his leadership with PBIS and his gift for forming strong, supportive relationships with students and families. His presence will continue to bless our school as he broadens his reach in this new role.

    We’re also thrilled to welcome Joe Baillargeon as our new 6th grade Bible and Social Studies teacher. An HC alum, Joe joins us after 14 years of teaching at Unity Christian High School. Joe brings contagious energy, creativity, and a deep love for students and Jesus. He thrives in the middle school setting and is passionate about encouraging respectful dialogue and supporting the whole child.

    Our Spanish Immersion program is growing! This year, we will offer immersion in both 6th and 7th grade, with plans to expand into 8th next year. We are excited to welcome Aida Valdez, who will be teaching all our immersion classes. Aida previously taught at Rose Park and brings with her a love for Christ, language, and culture. Ashley Hernandez will continue as our Spanish Immersion Coordinator as we look to deepen and expand these learning experiences.

    We’re also excited to welcome Amy Deur as she shares the librarian role with Ruth Busscher. Amy, a mother of five and former youth pastor, is re-entering the professional world after 13 years at home. She brings a love for books, a mind for research, and a heart for middle school students. Her vision for nurturing curiosity and fostering a love for reading is a wonderful fit for our community.

    One of the goals we have this year is to continue to expand our outdoor education opportunities across grades. 6th grade will again have monthly outdoor learning activities, and Mr. Nieuwsma will lead weekly experiences in his Creation Keeping class. 7th grade will continue their dunes study and camp experiences, with plans to add new outdoor learning this year. 8th grade will again partner with Camp Roger and deepen their science work around the school pond. We’re also grateful for Mrs. Geuder and Mrs. Rynsberger, who are helping us rewild the land between the pond and the school building, transforming it into a living classroom.

    We’re ready and grateful to begin the school year, full of expectation and joy, trusting in the One who makes all things new. As Psalm 16:11 reminds us: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

    We look forward to partnering with you in another wonderful year of growth, faith, and joyful learning.

    In Christ,

    Tom Strikwerda Principal, HCMS

    Get Ready for School!

    Orientation day is Monday, August 19  at the middle school.

    • 6th graders are invited to join us from 10:00-11:30am for a walk-through of the building, meeting teachers, and getting pictures taken. This is not an open house, but rather a full time together.
    • 7th and 8th graders are invited to join us for an open house (come and go when you’re able) from 12:00-2:30pm. Have your picture taken for your student ID, walk around the building and find your locker, pick up your schedule, and meet your teachers.
    • If you would like to order photos, look for your ordering form in the mail. It will have your personalized information on it, and you’ll want to bring that along for your picture. Please note that the Middle School yearbook is included in the yearly activity fee and does not need to be ordered separately. Each student will receive one at the end of the school year.

    Student schedules will be given to students on orientation day, August 18. They will be available online the afternoon of August 11.

    Before August 19: We have updated a few of our handbook policies. Please review our Student Handbook and Technology Handbook, and sign the form connected to it, so we can all start the year on the same page and with the same expectations. Updates to the Student Handbook are highlighted in yellow to make changes easier to spot.

    Tuesday, August 19: We start school this year with a full day starting at 8am and ending at 2:55pm. Our first week of school will be a Monday/Thursday/Friday schedule day each day  with no block schedule. There will be NO late start on Wednesday, August 20.

    Picture Make-up day (if students miss Orientation Day) will be Thursday, September 5; retakes and BOC pictures will be taken Monday, October 7.

     

    Middle School Information

    Many of you are new to the middle school building. Welcome! Please see below for all things Middle School. And feel free to reach out to Kelli Kruithof, administrative assistant, if you have any questions or concerns at kkruithof@hollandchristian.org.

    Absences/Tardies

    Absences happen for a number of reasons. If you know in advance that your child will be absent for any part of the day, please email kkruithof@hollandchristian.org or call our front office at 616.820.3205.

    We also ask that you help your child be on time for school each day. The tardy bell rings at 8am (8:30am on late start days), and teachers begin with devotions and lunch count. Missing or interrupting these foundational starters of the day can be distracting for the class.Please see our handbook for more information on absences and tardies.

    Class Schedules

    The Middle School runs a modified block schedule. This means students take seven classes on Monday/Thursday/Friday, and fewer classes on Tuesday/Wednesday, but for longer blocks of time.

    Late Start Wednesdays

    Students start school a few minutes later each Wednesday so middle school staff can attend meetings from 7:30-8:15 am. Starting on August 28, the start time on Wednesdays is 8:30am.

    HCMS Lunch

    Prices for MS lunch are $3.50 this year.

    August Lunch Menu

    Supply List

    The supply list for your student’s grade is here. Please note: It is recommended that students have an NIV Study Bible for their Bible class.

    Medication

    We realize some students need to take or have medication with them at school. All medication, both over-the-counter and prescribed, must be held in the front office in its original container. If your student needs medication at school, please have your doctor fill out and sign the required form and bring that form with the medication to school.

    Drop off/Pick up

    Carpool will take place on the North side of the building. In the single-lane carpool drop off, pull up as far as you can to drop off your child. If you are first in line, pull up to the orange cone that is past the north entrance on the sidewalk. This allows room for the cars behind you to pull up as well. Have your students exit the right side of the vehicle.

    The bus loop and visitor lots at the front of school are not open for drop off during the hours of 7:30-8:15am and 2:45-3:15pm. School doors will be open at 7:30am for students’ arrival and students need to be picked up by 3:20pm. If you have a high school student who drops off your children, please review these policies with them.

    DROP OFF/PICK UP MAP

    Athletics

    MS sports begin on August 19 at 3pm for Boys Football (HC/ZC 7th-8th), Boys Soccer (HC only 7th-8th), Boys Tennis (HC/ZC 6th-8th), Girls Volleyball (HC only 7th-8th) and Girls & Boys Cross Country (HC/ZC 6th-8th). You can find more information about HCMS sports here.

    Final Forms

    If you haven’t registered yet, please do so as soon as possible through Holland Christian’s Final Forms athletic registration system. Athletes need to be registered with a cleared physical uploaded to Final Forms before they can participate. We are excited to get started!

    Batons

    Please make sure you bring your baton to your first hour teacher on Orientation Day or the first day of school. Thanks!

    Ways to Get Involved

    Parent Board

    Hey Parents! Want to stay connected with what’s going on in the middle school?! Join our parent team! We will be meeting once a month on Fridays at 8am, plus a social outing or two.  he time commitment is flexible throughout the year with what works with your schedule, although we do hope to have most at each Friday meeting. Contact the front office if you’re interested in volunteering this year!

    HCMS Parent Night

    Join us for our Middle School Parent Night, which will be held on August 27 6:30-8pm. You’ll receive more information after the school year begins.

    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 Middle School. Please join us on Fridays, starting September 5, at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30am. Contact Nicole Shook with questions at ncshook@gmail.com.

    Important Dates

    The full 25-26 school calendar is available here

    August

      • 18: Orientation/picture day: 6th grade only: 10:00-11:30; 7th-8th grades: 12:00-2:30 open house
        Start of Fall sports
      • 19: First day of school, full day
      • 20: NO LATE START
      • 22: 6th grade to Camp Beechpoint all day
      • 25: 8th grade Camp Roger (more information to come)
      • 27 : All School Convocation 9am
        Parent Night 6:30-8 PM @ HCMS
      • 29: No school Labor Day Weekend

    September

    • 1: Labor Day
    • 4: Picture make-up day
    • 9: 7th grade vision screening
    • 24: Walkathon
  • Pine Ridge Newsletter: June 2025

    Pine Ridge Newsletter: June 2025

    “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5.

    I have watched as our Pine Ridge family has grown together in learning and servanthood this year. We have been blessed to serve our community over 50 times as individual classes, grade levels and a whole school.  It has been a joy to see students flourish and find their place in our community. I pray that as school days turn to summer we would hold on to the moments of joy and laughter that were experienced this year. It is bittersweet to say goodbye to our 5th graders, but they will blossom under our amazing middle school team. I am excited to welcome our new 3rd graders as they make this. next step. I am grateful for a community that cares for each other and leans on the goodness of God and his faithfulness. I hope you have an amazing summer!

    In Christ,

    Dinah Pereira

    Announcements

    5th Grade Families

    5th grade celebration (graduation) will be Tuesday, June 3. 5th grade parents are invited to join us at 2pm as we send off our 5th graders to their next adventure at the middle school.

    Medical Paperwork 25-26

    Any medication prescription or OTC including an inhaler needs a signed form from the doctor before the first day of school.

    Waiver Information:

    If your child with a waiver is returning to Holland Christian for the 25-26 school year and moving between grades (kindergarten-5th), your current waiver on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the waiver. This does include moving between Holland Christian Schools (Forest School, Pine Ridge, South Side and Rose Park).

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

    Please have all new student paperwork turned in before August 8th. This gives the office time to process everything before the 1st day. If your child doesn’t have their forms turned in, they will not permitted to start on August 19th.

    Lost & Found

    Please take a minute to look through the lost and found either physically or check the photo album online. All items remaining items will be donated June 6.

    Food Services

    Please remember to double check your child’s lunch account and add funds if needed.

    Class Lists

    The 25-26 class lists will be available and sent out via email the beginning of July. Supply lists will also be sent out at this time.

    Before/After School Care: 2025-26

    The doors at Pine Ridge open at 7:50 each school morning and students are dismissed at 3:15 each afternoon. If you need care before this time or after 3:30pm, please check out the Before/After School Programs.

    Summer Office Hours

    June 5-12: The office will be open from 9am-3pm to assist parents. Thursday, June 5 the office will only be closed in the morning due to an off-site staff meeting.

    August 4: The office will reopen daily from 9am-3pm, and then resume regular office hours when school begins. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    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

    June:

    • 3: 5th grade celebration
    • 4: 1/2 day: Last day
  • South Side Newsletter – June 2025

    South Side Newsletter – June 2025

    Thank you for partnering with us this year at South Side and sharing your amazing children with us. Our students this year have learned how to be South Side Stars who shine Jesus’ love around our building and to our community. Our South Side Stars saying is “Self, Servant, Stuff.” We have practiced all year controlling our behavior, serving others, and taking care of our belonging. To celebrate, Joy99 came with their Joy truck and threw us a bubble and popsicle party. The kids had an absolute blast. To quote one of our preschoolers, “This is the most joy filled day!”

    Your children have brought joy to my days all school year. I have enjoyed being their principal and am already excited for next year. We will have one staffing change for next year – Mrs. Hirschenberger will moving from 1st grade to 2nd grade. I pray God’s blessing over your summer as you make memories as a family. We can’t wait to hear all the stories when kids are back at school in the fall.

    Christy Haig

    Announcements

    End of the Year Chapel

    Save the date! We will have a special end of the year chapel to send off our 2nd graders on the last day of school, Wednesday, June 4. Feel free to gather with us from 10:30-11:15am for a time of worship together. We’ll be out on the playground, so bring a lawn chair if you’d like (if there’s rain we’ll move it to the gym). After chapel, preschool students will be dismissed, and Y5-2 students will have a quick 15 minutes to close out the year in the classrooms with their teacher, and their dismissal will follow at 11:30am.

    Medication Pickup

    If your child has medication at school, an email will be coming to you regarding pick up, since medication is not stored at school through the summer. All forms for bringing/administering medication at school are available on the Forms and Medications page, and they need to be filled out by your doctor at the beginning of each school year.

    25-26 Enrollment & Medical Paperwork

    All students entering preschool, kindergarten, and new transfers need to fill out and turn in a variety of paperwork by August 8, 2025:

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

    Waiver Information:

    If your child is a new student coming to HC from a different school district, your old waiver is invalid and you will need to schedule an appointment. If your child with a waiver is returning to Holland Christian for the  25-26 school year and moving from:

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

    Contact Rachel in the school office if you have any questions 616.820.3535.

    South Side Office Hours

    • June 5: The office will be closed due to an off-site meeting
    • June 6: The office will be closed in the morning due to an off-site meeting
    • June 9-13: The office will be open from 9am-2pm to assist parents.
    • August 4: The office will reopen daily from 9am-3pm, and then resume regular office hours when school begins. There will be a few dates TBD for beginning of the school year all-staff off-site meetings, and those dates will be posted on the door once they become available.

    Class Lists

    The 25-26 class lists will be available via email in early July.

    School Supply Lists

    If you would like to access preschool through second grade school supply lists for the 25-26 school year, you can find them on our South Side Christian website.

    Let’s all keep reading this summer!

    Thank you for partnering with us this past school year and celebrating the end of this year with us! One of your celebrations might be how your child(ren) grew as a confident reader this past year. Each of our educational campuses, including South Side, have made a concentrated effort to grow the mechanics of reading as well as each child’s love for reading. Unfortunately, there is an alarming amount of research that shows how much students might slide backward during the summer vacation. Fortunately, there is a relatively easy remedy to keep your child flourishing in reading by having your child read at least six “just right” books over the summer. This “6 to Make It Stick flier” will give you information on how to find a just right book using the “Five-finger Rule.”

    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. Email Rachel Steen, to claim your item(s), and we will be sure to get it into your child’s backpack. All remaining items will be donated to Ditto after our final day of school on Wednesday, June 4.

    Important Website Links

    Calendar

    June

    • 4: Last day of school: 2nd grade sendoff chapel 10:30-11:15am, preschool dismissal at 11:15am, Y5-2nd dismissal at 11:30am
    • 5: Office closed for an off-site meeting
    • 6: Office closed in the morning for an off-site meeting
    • 9-13: Office open 9am-2pm

    August

    • 4: Office opens daily from 9am-3pm
    • 8: All preschool, Young 5’s, and kindergarten paperwork is due via email/mail/drop-off to the office
    • 12: Preschool meet the teacher night for 3’s and 4’s (parents only)
    • 14: South Side Ice Cream Social for preschool-2nd grade 5:30-6:30pm
    • 19: First day of school for preschool-12th grade, full day
    • 21: Parent information night (Young Fives-2nd grade, parents only) at 6:30pm- tentative
    • 29: No school

    September

    • 1: No school: Labor Day