Category: Pine Ridge Newsletter

Families and friends we have so many things to truly be thankful for! Our teachers and students have made it through 1/4 of our school year already and it has been amazing! The Lord has been good and so gracious with us this year as we see the growth and flourishing of our students. I recently attended a conference that challenged us to find “bright spots”. This has been a great challenge for our staff as well, shall we all ALL try it? Finding bright spots naturally pull us into thankfulness and a mindset of giving thanks- we are living into this! Thank you for partnering with us!

Blessings on an amazing fall season!
Dinah Pereira

Announcements

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thank for taking the time to come in and meet with your child’s teacher. We love partnering with you and helping your child thrive at school, at home and all the places in between!
A special thank you to all who provided dinner during those nights! It was much appreciated!

From the Parent Board

November is our MONTH OF THANKS! Keep your eye out for an email with more details from the South Side/Pine Ridge office and consider blessing our teachers and staff! Remember, cards and small tokens of appreciation go a long way. Thank you for your support of those who care for our kiddos!

November 7, 6-8pm: Pine Ridge students are invited to a night out at Urban Air. Cost is $5.00 per person. (This event is for Pine Ridge Students only – no siblings) Parents are required to stay.

Mark your calendars for the Book Fair coming to Pine Ridge December 9-12. Volunteer signups will be sent out later this month.

Absences

Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email the Pine Ridge Office any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please leave any symptoms your sick child may have; this information is a requirement for us to report to the county! Also, please note that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.

Pine Ridge Carpool Line:

Thanks for continuing to working with us during drop offs and pickups. Please remember to pull ALL the way up to the bike rack even if the weather isn’t ideal. This helps us get as many cars through as possible and keeps the traffic circle clear for the buses!

Lost & Found

The Pine Ridge Lost and Found photo album is updated regularly. Please be sure to check it out and make sure nothing belongs at your house. Feel free to email the office to claim an item.

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 remember to come into the building to sign your student in or out.

Food Services

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

Moms in Prayer

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

Elementary Handbook

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

Important Website Links

• School Calendar
• School Transportation

Calendar

November:

• 27-29: No school: Thanksgiving break

December:

• 6: Band and Orchestra Concert
• 23-Jan 3: No school: Christmas Vacation

Welcoming fall is one of those times of year that slips by me so quickly. There is a busyness that comes with fall and the changing of the seasons that we can  almost forget all the wonderful things that are happening around us. We have learned the back to school routines, we have reunited with school friends, we’ve found out what our favorite subject is this year and what we enjoy most on the playground. Teachers have made intentional connections with students, we’ve sang together in chapel and created cool chapel group notebooks to record our insights. So many great things, let’s not let them pass us by! May this changing of seasons bring a renewed sense of wonder for God’s wonderful creation and praise to our Lord for all the good things he gives to us.

Blessings,
Dinah

Announcements

Pine Ridge Carpool Line:

We are working with the safety team as well as Holland Police Department for our afternoon pickups; we know we have backups on the road that are causing some concerns. We would encourage you to make only right hand turns when exiting the parking lot to help move traffic along.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Information went out regarding parent teacher conferences on September 23rd. Please check your email for details! Let us know if you missed this email and need it resent to you.

Conference Meals for Teachers

The parent board would like your help blessing our teachers with meals during conferences:

• Signup for the October 17 Soup Bar.
• Signup for the October 21 Taco Bar.

Picture Retakes

Pine Ridge’s retake day is October 30th. Please make sure you bring in your original picture packet if you wish to get retakes.

Grandparent and Grandfriend Day

Please see the Grandparent/Friend Day Flier for all the details and to share with your Grandparents and Grandfriends. We can’t wait to see them all on October 10 at 1pm!

Absences

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

Save the Date!

Pine Ridge students are invited to a night out at Urban Air on November 7th. More details coming from our Parent Board soon. This event will be only for Pine Ridge students; our South Side siblings will be having their own event.

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 remember to come into the building to sign your student in or out.

Walkathon

Thank you so much for all your contributions to the Walkathon this year! We had a GREAT day outside together.

Food Services

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

Moms in Prayer

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

Elementary Handbook

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

Important Website Links

• School Calendar
• School Transportation

Calendar

October:

• 10: Grandparent & Grandfriend Day
• 11: Report Cards
• 17: Parent-teacher conferences
• 21: Parent-teacher conferences
• 23: No school: Professional development
• 24-25: No school: CEA Convention
• 30: Picture Retakes

November:

• 27-29: No school: Thanksgiving break

The school year is officially underway! I have enjoyed the rejuvenated energy of smiling, laughing and excited children back in the building. Thank you so much for your grace and patience as the start of a year can sometimes be tricky. Our theme this new year is “Seek First” with the verse from Matthew 6:33. In chapel this year we will focus on the HOW when putting God’s plans first seeking Him first allows for our prayers and activities we enjoy to fit so well in our lives. We have started chapel groups this year as well. These groups meet after chapel two times a month and reflect on our chapel teaching. This is one way in which we are working on seeking first God’s ways at school. I hope you can find ways this year to tangibly show your devotion to God in your daily life. I am excited and affirmed that God will and has blessed this 2024-25 school year. May God bless you and keep you always.

In Christ,

Dinah Pereira

Announcements

Walkathon

What is Walkathon? Walkathon is an HC-wide fundraiser where elementary students walk to raise money for their school. The funds raised by Pine Ridge students go directly to Pine Ridge needs. 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 1pm on Wednesday, September 25.

Picture Day

Pine Ridge picture day is September 19. Order forms will sent home with students soon. If your student would like a yearbook in the spring, 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. All forms must be turned in regardless of if you choose to order pictures and/or a yearbook.

Grandparent and Grandfriend Day

Save the date: October 10! More details will be coming later this month.

Absences

Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email us at pr@hollandchristian.org 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.

Parent Teacher Conferences

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

Food Services

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

Pine Ridge Carpool Line Reminders:

• Always use the Graafscaap Road/60th Street entrance and exit.
• 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

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 8:30-9:30 am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

Elementary Handbook

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

Important Website Links

• School Calendar
• School Transportation

Calendar

September:

• 2: No school: Labor Day
• 3: School resumes
• 19: School pictures
• 25: Walkathon

October:

• 10: Grandparent & Grandfriend Day
• 17: Parent-teacher conferences
• 21: Parent-teacher conferences
• 23: No school: Professional development
• 24-25: No school: CEA Convention

It has been an amazing year Pine Ridge family! Thank you for loving, growing and learning with us this year. We are so honored to be a part of planting and growing your children. May we never grow weary of doing the good work of the Lord.

I pray that this summer season is one of rest, reflection family and fun!

Dinah

Announcements

Class Lists

The 24-25 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: 2024-25

The doors at Pine Ridge open at 7:45 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.

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 email Tami Schippers or email Emily Baker if you’d like to learn more.

Summer Office Hours

June 6-13: The office will be open from 9am-3pm to assist parents. Thursday, June 6 the office will only be closed in the morning due to an off-site staff meeting.

July 29: 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.

Enrollment/Medical Paperwork 24-25

All new transfer students have a variety of paperwork that needs to be filled out and turned in by August 6, 2024. Additionally, any medication prescription or OTC including an inhaler needs a signed form from the doctor before the first day of school.

• New Transfer Forms
• Medication Forms

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 with a waiver is returning to Holland Christian for the 24-25 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.

Important Website Links

• School calendar
• School transportation
• Food services/Lunch menus

Calendar

June

• 4: 5th grade graduation
• 5: 1/2 day: Last day of school
• 5: Report cards live

July

• 29: Office opens daily 9am-3pm

August

• 1: All paperwork is due via email/mail/drop-off to the office
• 15: Ice Cream Social
• 20: First day of school!
• 22: Parent Information Night
• 30: No school: Labor Day weekend

Happy spring! It is so wonderful to hear the birds singing and  see the sun–we have made it to May! May reminds me of the fact that after long, cold and maybe hard months God is still good, he is still faithful and warms us with his spirit. I am always encouraged at this time of year to also see students grow and see them blossom after almost a full year of hard work.

This month is filled with lots of once-a-year activities such as our graduation, field day, last chapel, end of year PBIS celebration and more. I want to enjoy these events but also not let them diminish what we have experienced throughout the year. We have had the honor of seeing families at the ice cream social, conferences, grandparents day, orchestra and band concerts, spring program and soon our end of year celebrations.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to help our children. As a mom of 2 boys here at HC, it fills my heart to know that we are ALL working together to point their hearts toward Jesus and who he has made them to be. I pray you have a chance to enjoy all that spring has to offer and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Dinah

Announcements

Tulip Time ’24

On Thursday, May 9th, our 3rd-4th graders will participate in the Tulip Time Kinderparade. We will have a normal school schedule in the morning: 5th graders not helping with the parade will be dismissed at 11:30am; there will be no after-school busing. 3rd and 4th graders will remain at school, until we load the buses to head to the parade route. They will eat lunch at school before heading to the parade. There will be no hot lunch.

An information sheet and pick up slip was sent home with your child. Please return this slip to your child’s teacher ASAP if you have not done so already, and please keep an eye on your email the week of Tulip Time (May 6-10) for correspondence about parade reminders.

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 email Tami Schippers or email Emily Baker if you’d like to learn more.

Important Website Links

• School calendar
• School transportation
• Food services/Lunch menus

Calendar

May

• 9: 1/2 day: Tulip Time Parade (3rd & 4th graders stay for parade)
• 27: No school: Memorial Day
• 28: Track & Field Day

June

• 4: 5th grade graduation
• 5: 1/2 day: Last day of school
• 5: Report cards live

Spring has finally arrived! This time of year brings with it so much excitement and rejuvenation as we say goodbye to the colder temperatures, cloudy skies and muddy fields. It is fun to see kids enjoying the warmer weather and finding creative ways to be creation keepers during our outdoor learning times. We rejoice as we witness the  growth and flourishing of our learners at Pine Ridge. This past month we were able to enjoy our spring program, conferences, field trips, cardboard sleds, Pi-day and so much more. We are grateful to the volunteers and our wonderful parent board and families who have made all these things possible for our students. I am reminded of the verse that says, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes. 5:18.

Grateful to do this work together of growing students,

Dinah

Announcements

Book Fair Thank You

Thank you to each volunteers who helped make this a success! We had another great sale and were able to raise funds for both the PR and SS libraries to expand their selection of books.

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.

• April 22-May 3 for Miss Slenk’s 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.

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 email Tami Schippers or email Emily Baker if you’d like to learn 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 on the Geskus Website.

Important Website Links

• School calendar
• School transportation
• Food services/Lunch menus

Calendar

April

• 8: Classes resume
• 26: 4th grade Market Day

May

• 9: 1/2 day: Tulip Time Parade (3rd & 4th graders stay for parade)
• 15: All School Convocation 9:30am
• 28: Track & Field Day
• 27: No school: Memorial Day

June

• 5: 1/2 day: Last day of school

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.

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.

Book Fair at South Side

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

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

• School calendar
• School transportation
• Food services/Lunch menus

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

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

• School calendar
• School transportation
• Hot lunch accounts
• Elementary Handbook
• Hot Lunch Menu

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