At Holland Christian, we believe that places of learning should excite and engage students. God created children to instinctively reach their hands into everything to explore and learn His big, marvelous world. To that end, our elementary campuses will be holding a Makers Week for our learners in February of next year. During Makers Week, our students will collaborate and problem solve together in experiences surrounding science, technology, engineering and mathematical concepts. In “make” experiences, students revel in the satisfaction of their successes, and they rally around each other when faced with failure. What a joy to observe our students questioning, creating, struggling, inventing, reflecting and ultimately, learning. We will continue to foster students’ curiosity, challenge their thinking and keep their passion to learn burning brightly.
In one of our Makers’ Week sessions, students will be engaged in completing a simple task utilizing their design of a Rube Goldberg machine. Please enjoy this brief clip for an example of one such series of simple machines that complete a task:
If we may, we’d like to ask for your help in the donation of materials with which students can design and build their Rube Goldberg machines during Makers’ Week. If you have any (or all ;) ) of the following materials that you would be willing to donate to school, we would be very appreciative of your generosity and will put the items to great use! Thank you for taking a look at home for the following materials:
Just a reminder
There is no school next week Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Due to our short week - our next Elementary News letter will be published on December 4. Wishing all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
TRIP
Just a reminder -- If you need gift cards for Christmas gifts, they need to be ordered by Wednesday, December 2. TRIP will run December 2, 9 & 16th this month. Only a limited number of Gift cards will be on hand for purchase on scheduled TRIP days.
CHAMPS books are in!
We now have CHAMPS coupon books available in the office for the fabulous price of $25 a book. They make great gifts for the holiday season. Come check them out!
6th Grade HC/Bittersweet Ski Club
Information went home this week for 6th Grade Ski Club. Please see attached Documents to Print and Sign, for Ski Club Card Purchases.
- Ski Club information and Waiver registration forms
- Q & A Ski Club Questions.
- HC Ski Club information Dates
Join us for Author, Steve VanHaitsma's Book launch
Join the sixth grade students at Pine Ridge Christian School in celebrating the release of "Wizard of the March" by Steve VanHaitsma.
Mr. VanHaitsma has met with the sixth graders over the past month sharing his story. The students have learned first hand what it means to develop, write, and publish a novel. Please join them in celebrating the release of "Wizard of the March." Look forward to music, snacks and autographed books available for purchase! Two dollars of the purchase price per book on this night will go to Holland Christian Schools. Join us Monday, November 23 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Pine Ridge library.
Scholastic Book Fair
If you missed the Book Fair sale times this week, you may still order online. Please click the attached link: Scholastics Direct Ordering Page, This link will be active until November 25th. Thank you so much Val Nyhof for organizing this book fair and our many volunteers that made this year’s book fair a big success!
Holland Christian Christmas Concerts for 4th-8th grade band and orchestra students!
Monday, December 7 in the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Show times are as follows
6 PM: 4th, 5th and 6th grade Orchestras and Bands; 8 PM: MS Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Band.
Positive Options Collection ( Formerly Lakeshore Pregnancy Center )
Just a reminder we are collecting Baby Items for Positive Options (Lakeshore Pregnancy Center) again this year. click here for a List of Needs. Please have your child bring in any of these items, before December 16. Positive Options will be coming in to receive these gifts on December 16 at our Chapel, 12:30pm. Thank you so much for your giving hearts.
Extended Care Program
HC is excited to offer our Extended Care Program for NOVEMBER 25 from 7 AM - 5 PM. There is no school on this date due to a Professional Development Day for staff and we want to continue to provide a safe, nurturing environment for your PreK-6th grader. Our regular after school rates will apply for this day. You can register your family for a few hours or the entire day. We will be meeting at our Rose Park Christian campus. We are getting our team together and need to have your family register if you are interested by November 16. Click HERE to register your family! Contact Amanda Brouwer - Extended Care Program Coordinator - abrouwer@hollandchristian.org for more information.
Update regarding Spartan Community Programs
The Spartan Community Programs are changing please see information below:
Registration for the Spring 2016 Season will take place from November 1st, 2015 to November 30, 2015. Informational flyers are available in the office with registration details. Also, please continue to check GOTR website and Facebook page for registration updates! Girls on the Run Information Link Registration. Assistant coaches are needed to help on Tuesdays/Thursdays! Please contact Lisa VandenBerg if you are interested or if you have any further questions. tlvand@charter.net or 616-836-4843.
Annual Poinsettia Sale
South Side is selling 6” poinsettia plants with 5-7 blooms for $8.50 or 3/$24.00, with satisfaction guaranteed. The colors are red, white, pink, marble, and Maroon is back. Orders, with payment, will be taken until noon on Monday, November 30. Parents, please pick up orders at South Side on Thursday, December 3, between 2-5 PM or Friday, December 4, from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Please contact Pat Meiste at pmeiste@hollandchristian.org or 616.820.3535. Thank you for your support! Order Form Correction: The maroon option was omitted in error. If you want to order this color, please write MRN on form and we will order it. Our apologies for the error.
World Renew Collection Program (SS)
God graciously includes us, His people, in His ongoing mission of reconciliation in the world. Every December we recommit ourselves as a community who strives to transform the world by reaching out to children and families in need to offer hope and help through the World Renew Gift Program. Each class will collect money from November 30-December 11. As the money is brought to school, students will total the donation and make decisions about how they would like to allocate the funds. Through the World Renew gift catalog, students can select items such as mosquito nets, health kits, goats, pigs, chimneys, latrines and water filters. We we hold a special chapel service on Wednesday, December 16 during which we will review what items our entire South Side community will be sending out around the world.
We invite you to participate in this program. You may encourage your child to complete special jobs around the house to earn money. Perhaps they can dig into their own piggy bank for an offering. You are welcome to attend our chapel time on Wednesday, December 16 from 8:30-9:00 as we offer our gifts as a response to God's love and grace in our lives.
Art Rooms Needs
Mrs. Walters art rooms are in need of a resupply of milk jug lids, water bottle lids, and larger lids such as peanut butter lids. Would you be willing to save them and send them to school?
Thank you!
Join the sixth grade students at Pine Ridge Christian School in celebrating the release of "Wizard of the March" by Steve VanHaitsma.
Mr. VanHaitsma has met with the sixth graders over the past month sharing his story. The students have learned first hand what it means to develop, write, and publish a novel. Please join them in celebrating the release of "Wizard of the March." Look forward to music, snacks and autographed books available for purchase! Two dollars of the purchase price per book on this night will go to Holland Christian Schools. Join us Monday, November 23 at 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Pine Ridge library.
Scholastic Book Fair
If you missed the Book Fair sale times this week, you may still order online. Please click the attached link: Scholastics Direct Ordering Page, This link will be active until November 25th. Thank you so much Val Nyhof for organizing this book fair and our many volunteers that made this year’s book fair a big success!
Holland Christian Christmas Concerts for 4th-8th grade band and orchestra students!
Monday, December 7 in the Holland Christian High School Auditorium. Show times are as follows
6 PM: 4th, 5th and 6th grade Orchestras and Bands; 8 PM: MS Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Band.
Positive Options Collection ( Formerly Lakeshore Pregnancy Center )
Just a reminder we are collecting Baby Items for Positive Options (Lakeshore Pregnancy Center) again this year. click here for a List of Needs. Please have your child bring in any of these items, before December 16. Positive Options will be coming in to receive these gifts on December 16 at our Chapel, 12:30pm. Thank you so much for your giving hearts.
Extended Care Program
HC is excited to offer our Extended Care Program for NOVEMBER 25 from 7 AM - 5 PM. There is no school on this date due to a Professional Development Day for staff and we want to continue to provide a safe, nurturing environment for your PreK-6th grader. Our regular after school rates will apply for this day. You can register your family for a few hours or the entire day. We will be meeting at our Rose Park Christian campus. We are getting our team together and need to have your family register if you are interested by November 16. Click HERE to register your family! Contact Amanda Brouwer - Extended Care Program Coordinator - abrouwer@hollandchristian.org for more information.
Update regarding Spartan Community Programs
The Spartan Community Programs are changing please see information below:
- Cash for Class- The final payout for this program will be November 22 - 28, 2015 . Purchases made with your yes card will automatically be credited to your designated account. A participant's yes card must be linked to an account to earn credit. A yes cardholder needs to visit www.myyesrewards.com to link their card to your school.
- Cash for Labels Program - Spartan will discontinue payouts for Spartan Labels as of Dec. 15th. If you have been saving Spartan UPC Labels for school please turn them in by November 30th. This will allow time to count and submitted UPCs for final payout! Thank you for your participation. A new program is planned to begin in 2016, we will pass information along when it is available to us.
Registration for the Spring 2016 Season will take place from November 1st, 2015 to November 30, 2015. Informational flyers are available in the office with registration details. Also, please continue to check GOTR website and Facebook page for registration updates! Girls on the Run Information Link Registration. Assistant coaches are needed to help on Tuesdays/Thursdays! Please contact Lisa VandenBerg if you are interested or if you have any further questions. tlvand@charter.net or 616-836-4843.
Annual Poinsettia Sale
South Side is selling 6” poinsettia plants with 5-7 blooms for $8.50 or 3/$24.00, with satisfaction guaranteed. The colors are red, white, pink, marble, and Maroon is back. Orders, with payment, will be taken until noon on Monday, November 30. Parents, please pick up orders at South Side on Thursday, December 3, between 2-5 PM or Friday, December 4, from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Please contact Pat Meiste at pmeiste@hollandchristian.org or 616.820.3535. Thank you for your support! Order Form Correction: The maroon option was omitted in error. If you want to order this color, please write MRN on form and we will order it. Our apologies for the error.
World Renew Collection Program (SS)
God graciously includes us, His people, in His ongoing mission of reconciliation in the world. Every December we recommit ourselves as a community who strives to transform the world by reaching out to children and families in need to offer hope and help through the World Renew Gift Program. Each class will collect money from November 30-December 11. As the money is brought to school, students will total the donation and make decisions about how they would like to allocate the funds. Through the World Renew gift catalog, students can select items such as mosquito nets, health kits, goats, pigs, chimneys, latrines and water filters. We we hold a special chapel service on Wednesday, December 16 during which we will review what items our entire South Side community will be sending out around the world.
We invite you to participate in this program. You may encourage your child to complete special jobs around the house to earn money. Perhaps they can dig into their own piggy bank for an offering. You are welcome to attend our chapel time on Wednesday, December 16 from 8:30-9:00 as we offer our gifts as a response to God's love and grace in our lives.
Art Rooms Needs
Mrs. Walters art rooms are in need of a resupply of milk jug lids, water bottle lids, and larger lids such as peanut butter lids. Would you be willing to save them and send them to school?
Thank you!
Dress for the Weather
We are in that ‘in-between’ season time where it can be quite cold in the morning and comfortable in the afternoon. Please be sure to send your child with a jacket, hat, mittens, etc. as needed. We do not have enough of an inventory of these items in the office to supply all students who request outerwear when they do not have their own. Thanks for your help!
Double your online donations!
Now through December 31, 2015, all online donations to the Tuition Grant Fund will be doubled! We have received a challenge from two generous donors to match dollar for dollar the first $50,000. Click here to donate online.
We are in that ‘in-between’ season time where it can be quite cold in the morning and comfortable in the afternoon. Please be sure to send your child with a jacket, hat, mittens, etc. as needed. We do not have enough of an inventory of these items in the office to supply all students who request outerwear when they do not have their own. Thanks for your help!
Double your online donations!
Now through December 31, 2015, all online donations to the Tuition Grant Fund will be doubled! We have received a challenge from two generous donors to match dollar for dollar the first $50,000. Click here to donate online.
Volunteers Needed:
South Side & Pine Ridge- need volunteers to help with Boxtop, Campbell's Labels for Education programs. This includes checking expiration dates, trimming and bundling these into groups using rubber bands, envelopes or baggies. Counting total points and submitting them to Laura Norman or Pat Meiste for submission two times per year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pat at pmeiste@hollandchristian.org or Laura at lnorman@hollandchristian.org.
After School Program
Holland Christian offers a Before and After School Program for Rose Park, South Side, and Pine Ridge Elementary students each full day school is in session. The Before and After School Program provides children with an opportunity to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially through organized group activities and play. The cost of the program is $5 per hour. Drop in care, for children who do not regularly participate in the Before and After School Program, is also available if space allows. Before School Care: 7:00 am - 8:10 am After School Care: 3:15 pm - 5:30 pm If you have questions, please email Amanda Brouwer at abrouwer@hollandchristian.org. You may register for the program here.
Emergency Procedures:
As the weather changes from summer to fall, it is time for you to become familiar with our emergency procedures, particularly during a tornado watch or warning. The guidelines below are also found in our elementary handbook online.
Tornado Watch
1. All students will remain in their building under the direct supervision of their teachers.
2. The regular school schedule will be followed.
3. Classes will be dismissed at the regular time.
South Side & Pine Ridge- need volunteers to help with Boxtop, Campbell's Labels for Education programs. This includes checking expiration dates, trimming and bundling these into groups using rubber bands, envelopes or baggies. Counting total points and submitting them to Laura Norman or Pat Meiste for submission two times per year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pat at pmeiste@hollandchristian.org or Laura at lnorman@hollandchristian.org.
After School Program
Holland Christian offers a Before and After School Program for Rose Park, South Side, and Pine Ridge Elementary students each full day school is in session. The Before and After School Program provides children with an opportunity to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically, and socially through organized group activities and play. The cost of the program is $5 per hour. Drop in care, for children who do not regularly participate in the Before and After School Program, is also available if space allows. Before School Care: 7:00 am - 8:10 am After School Care: 3:15 pm - 5:30 pm If you have questions, please email Amanda Brouwer at abrouwer@hollandchristian.org. You may register for the program here.
Emergency Procedures:
As the weather changes from summer to fall, it is time for you to become familiar with our emergency procedures, particularly during a tornado watch or warning. The guidelines below are also found in our elementary handbook online.
Tornado Watch
1. All students will remain in their building under the direct supervision of their teachers.
2. The regular school schedule will be followed.
3. Classes will be dismissed at the regular time.
Tornado Warning
1. No student will be dismissed. Children may be released to a parent who personally comes to get the child (although this is not recommended).
2. All students will be assigned to the safest possible area within the school building until the warning has been lifted. Civil Defense Officials have assisted us in determining these areas.
*** It is helpful to us if you do not call the school during these times. It is not that we do not want you to know what is happening, but our attention needs to be on the safety of the children. Thanks! Fire, tornado and lockdown drills are held periodically throughout the school year according to Michigan School Guidelines. We will be practicing a tornado and fire drill soon!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 23 Author, Steve VanHaitsma Book launch (6:30 at Pine Ridge)
November 25 No School: Staff Development
November 26-27 Thanksgiving Vacation
November 30- Dec. 11 World Renew Collection
November 30 Poinsettia orders due
December 7 4th - 8th Grade Band and Orchestra Concert at the HS
December 16 World Renew Celebration (8:30 a.m.- SS Gym)
December 3 & 4 Poinsettia sale pick up at South Side
December 2 & 9 TRIP Dates
December 21-Jan 3 Christmas Vacation
January 4 All Classes Resume
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Downtown Holiday Events Brochure copies are available in the school Offices or by clicking this link at Brochure Copy.
