Friday, May 27, 2016

Summery Week

As you are likely aware from an emailed message from Mr. Meester, this morning's learning at school was interrupted. For approximately 30 minutes, our students were asked to stay in their classrooms with their teachers during a lockdown. It is valuable to acknowledge, how very evident in moments like these, the deep love our teachers have for their students. Our children truly become like their children. Teachers and staff love them like their own. I noticed upon reopening the classroom doors when the lockdown was called off, that our children's eyes did not reflect anxiety or concern due to the event. Teachers offered reassurance and normalcy throughout the entire morning. Clearly, our children take reassurance in their teachers' presence. The love and trust in this student/teacher relationship is very special. Not only does learning grow out of this relationship, but this is also the relationship upon which children see God. God is compassionate. God is faithful. God is strong and offers us security. God is love. Thank you for entrusting our staff with your precious child. Please know, today, like all days, your dear children are loved by us!




Tutoring services
Holland Christian has a summer tutoring list available in the school offices if you would like to have one.  Please note fees and meeting place for these services are coordinated with the tutor and parent. You may also click this link: Tutor List 2016 , to print a copy

Soccer Tournament/Fundraiser for Caroline “Peach” Kanis
Please join us for a 4v4 soccer tournament/fundraiser in honor of Peach and her courageous battle with DIPG!  Saturday, May 28.  Cost: $20 per player.  Please click here to view the flyer.

Holland Christian & Zeeland Christian Youth Football
Any 3rd-6th grader (16-17 School Year) interested in playing youth football can register to play for a Holland Christian team!  We are looking forward to a great season in the West Michigan Junior Football League again.  Holland Recreation administers the program and handles the registration.  More information can be found at the following link.     http://www.maroonsathletics.org/2016/05/youth-football-registration.html

Preschool Staffing News
Join me in thanking our amazing Preschool Team for another great year of equipping, nurturing, and transforming our children for Jesus Christ.  With the end of the year in sight we want to say a huge "Thank YOU" to some staff members who will not be returning in the Fall - Mrs. Heather DeBoer (Rose Park), Mrs. Julie Wright (Rose Park), and Ms. Tabitha Tolsma (South Side) will be exploring new roads in their journey and we so appreciate their dedication and commitment to all the students and families at Holland Christian this past year.  We pray that God will continue to bless them and keep them and make His light shine through them and in them.

Mrs. Rysnburger will be also be taking on the role of Preschool Director for Holland Christian.  Mrs. Brouwer will be heading back to the classroom at Rose Park as well as South Side.  Mrs. Brouwer will continue to work as a Curriculum Director for the Preschool Program.

To date this is the current Preschool Teaching Staff for 2016-2017

Threeschool
  • Mrs. Tammy Grassmid (South Side)
4's Preschool
  • Mrs. Dawn Baker - 3/5 day (South Side)
  • We are hiring two new 3 day teachers for our South Side campus and will share that information with you as soon as they are in place.
Junior Kindergarten
  • Mrs. Jamie Lanser (South Side)
Enrichment
  • Mrs. Amanda Brouwer (South Side)
  • Mrs. Tammy Grassmid (South Side)
  • Mrs. Dawn Baker (South Side)
  • Mrs. Lisa VanKampen and Mrs. Dawn Houskamp (South Side)
Before/After School Program
It is our prayer that the Before/After School Program at Holland Christian will provide your children an opportunity to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially through organized group activities in a safe, care, and nurturing environment.  Before School program is offered from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. when school is in session.  After School program is offered from 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. when school is in session for a full day.  A $20 deposit is required at registration and will be applied to your family bill.  To begin the registration process visit the website at: http://www.hollandchristian.org/before_and_after_school_program
The charge for the Before/After School Program is:
  • $5 per hour, per one student
  • $9 per hour, per two students
  • $12 per hour, per 3+ students 

Your family will be charged a minimum of an hour each time you use the program.  After the first hour, you will be billed only for the remainder of time that you are checked into the program.  You will receive a bill at the end of each month.

If you are interested in any of these programs for your family for the 16/17 school year please visit the link below to begin the registration process:
  • South Side/Pine Ridge Families: http://goo.gl/forms/Ih0KGLA3EG
  • Rose Park Families: http://goo.gl/forms/ga8MdTJ34K

Hot Lunch Balances
Thank you for working on your negative hot lunch balances.   There is a significant balance on student accounts.  It is a requirement of the state all accounts are current before the end of the school year.  Please make every effort to bring accounts to a zero balance June 3rd.   
The entire school's negative balances are ($1,763)...
  • South Side ($317)
  • Rose Park ($717)
  • Pine Ridge ($288)
  • Middle School ($475)
All accounts with a positive balance will roll over to the next school year. If you have multiple students at Holland Christian, you may transfer money between family accounts. If you have questions regarding your account or how to transfer funds, please call Sue Lambers at 820-2934 or email her slambers@hollandchristian.org.

 Kindergarten Visiting Day - DATE CHANGE
Please note that the Kindergarten Visiting Date has changed. Our Kindergarten Visiting Day will take place on Tuesday, May 31st. from 8:30-9:30.  I hope your schedule will allow for your child and your attendance at this exciting event. If you are not able to attend, please contact Mrs. Rynsburger at mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org and we will make arrangements to welcome you and your child in a special way that does suit your schedule. Thank you!

T.R.I.P.
The TRIP  will continue during the summer months on an every other week basis.  Listed below are the scheduled dates -
  • June 1, 15, and 29
  • July 13 and 27
  • August 10, 24, and 31
The regular 2016-2017 schedule will resume beginning Wednesday, September 7th.
Questions may be directed to Mary Wynia (616.834.38020) or you may email trip@hollandchristian.org.

Jobs & Deals at DITTO!
Looking for a part-time spring and summer job? Ditto is looking for student employees. Please call 396.8870 and ask to speak with a store manager.
For a limited time-
  • Adult clothing is only $2.00 per item (excludes boutique and outerwear.) 
  • Kids clothing will be $1.00 each!  (For the month of May)

Thank you for cleaning out your closets and bringing your gently used clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods to ditto! You are making a difference!

Lost and Found Items
Lost and found table is full if you are able in the next few weeks, please take a look at our lost and found to claim lost items.  Anything unclaimed will be donated to Ditto on June 3rd.

Girls on the Run
GOtR Website  and A link to all the practice information GOtR Practices.

Host Families Needed
Holland Christian is blessed to have incredibly dedicated families who are passionate about raising their children with a Christian education. There are international parents who dream of providing the best education in the world for their children and are willing to sacrifice enormously for that. Holland Christian can provide teenagers around the world with a quality life-impacting Christian education.  If you would like more information about being a host family and making a significant and lasting impact, please contact Karen DeRoo at kderoo@hollandchristian.org

Immunization requirements
Students entering 7th Grade and Students entering into a new school district must meet the immunization requirements of the state of Michigan, Prior to the start of school. Please make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations, Prior to the next School year.  For more information go to: Immunization Information  or Ottawa County website.  A student who fails to meet the immunization requirement or have a valid waiver, will not be permitted to start school.  Reminder waivers are only good for one year.

Downtown Holland Summer 2016 
Looking for some local activities for the summer?  You will find the Downtown Summer Calendar of Events for 2016 brochure if you click here.

Calendar of Events
May           30         Memorial Day - No School
May           31         Kindergarten Visiting Day, 8:30-9:30 (gym)
May           31         Field Day at South Side, 12:30 - 2:45pm
June            1          5th Grade Field Trip to Ottawa Beach, Art & Picnic ~ All Day
June            2          6th Graders turn in your laptops, cords and bags (in the PR Media Center at Noon)
June            3          Final Chapel at SS (10:45-11:15) note time
June            3          Half Day: Last day of Classes ~ PR & SS  dismisses at 11:30am
June            3          GOtR ~  The 5K Run!!


Summer Camp links for 2016
www.son-lifecamp.org
www.jbzoo.org/education
www.calvin.edu/go/chemistrycamp
www.calvin.edu/go/ace
www.cultureworksica.com/summer-2016
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Friday, May 20, 2016

Getting Ready to Launch!

This time of year is so bittersweet. All of these kids, whom we love and who call school their home-away-from-home, will soon outgrow all that we have for them here. Though they'll move on, they will never leave our hearts. Their imprint will forever remain and help make Pine Ridge and South Side a place for a new batch of incoming littles to flourish and develop. We'll always love every one of these faces.  
heart emotico


This past Wednesday, all of our students, Pre-K through 12th grade once again gathered together for a bookending celebration of our school year. We gathered to celebrate, sing, pray, and recite our communal Scripture memory. Such a beautiful way to start and to end the year. ‪#‎lifetogether‬


Staffing News for 2016-2017

"Our ESS Director, Pam Maat, has decided to further pursue some other special education work in which she has been involved over recent years. Pam has much to contribute to the world of education, and we are grateful for her 29 years of service at Holland Christian Schools. A search for a new Director is underway, and we anticipate having that position filled before the end of the school year. Thanks for your prayers and support of that process!"

Preschool Staffing News
Join me in thanking our amazing Preschool Team for another great year of equipping, nurturing, and transforming our children for Jesus Christ.  With the end of the year in sight we want to say a huge "Thank YOU" to some staff members who will not be returning in the Fall - Mrs. Heather DeBoer (Rose Park), Mrs. Julie Wright (Rose Park), and Ms. Tabitha Tolsma (South Side) will be exploring new roads in their journey and we so appreciate their dedication and commitment to all the students and families at Holland Christian this past year.  We pray that God will continue to bless them and keep them and make His light shine through them and in them.

Mrs. Rysnburger will be also be taking on the role of Preschool Director for Holland Christian.  Mrs. Brouwer will be heading back to the classroom at Rose Park as well as South Side.  Mrs. Brouwer will continue to work as a Curriculum Director for the Preschool Program.

To date this is the current Preschool Teaching Staff for 2016-2017

Threeschool
  • Mrs. Tammy Grassmid (South Side)
  • 4's PRESCHOOL
Preschool
  • Mrs. Dawn Baker - 3/5 day (South Side)
  • We are hiring two new 3 day teachers for our South Side campus and will share that information with you as soon as they are in place.
Junior Kindergarten
  • Mrs. Jamie Lanser (South Side)
Enrichment
  • Mrs. Amanda Brouwer (South Side)
  • Mrs. Tammy Grassmid (South Side)
  • Mrs. Dawn Baker (South Side)
  • Mrs. Lisa VanKampen and Mrs. Dawn Houskamp (South Side)

Before & After School Program
It is our prayer that the Before/After School Program at Holland Christian will provide your children an opportunity to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially through organized group activities in a safe, care, and nurturing environment.  Before School program is offered from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. when school is in session.  After School program is offered from 3:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. when school is in session for a full day.  A $20 deposit is required at registration and will be applied to your family bill.  To begin the registration process visit the website at: http://www.hollandchristian.org/before_and_after_school_program
The charge for the Before/After School Program is: 
  • $5 per hour, per one student
  • $9 per hour, per two students
  • $12 per hour, per 3+ students 

Your family will be charged a minimum of an hour each time you use the program. After the first hour, you will be billed only for the remainder of time that you are checked into the program.  You will receive a bill at the end of each month.

If you are interested in any of these programs for your family for the 16/17 school year please visit the link below to begin the registration process:

South Side/Pine Ridge Families: http://goo.gl/forms/Ih0KGLA3EG
Rose Park Families: http://goo.gl/forms/ga8MdTJ34K


Hot Lunch Balances
Thank you for working on your negative hot lunch balances.   There is a significant balance on student accounts.  It is a requirement of the state all accounts are current before the end of the school year.  Please make every effort to bring accounts to a zero balance June 3rd.  
The entire school's negative balances are ($1,844)...
  • Southside  ($286)  
  • Rose Park  ($745)
  • Pine Ridge ($368)
  • Middle School ($445)

 All accounts with a positive balance will roll over to the next school year. If you have multiple students at Holland Christian, you may transfer money between family accounts. If you have questions regarding your account or how to transfer funds, please call Sue Lambers at 820-2934 or email her slambers@hollandchristian.org.

Kindergarten Visiting Day DATE CHANGE
Families of students enrolled in kindergarten at Holland Christian should have received an important letter in the mail this past weekend.  This letter informs you of your child's kindergarten teacher, it includes your child's class list and this letter invites you to our Kindergarten Visiting Day event. The date, as you will see on the letter, for our visiting day, was planned for Friday, May 27th. However, several of our preschool classes had previously planned an end-of-the-year celebration offsite on that day. This will make it difficult for families to attend both events. In order to accommodate both the field trips and the visiting day, please note that the Kindergarten Visiting Date is being changed. Our new Kindergarten Visiting Day will take place on Tuesday, May 31st. from 8:30-9:30. 
 I apologize for any complication this may cause and certainly hope that your schedule will allow for your child and your attendance at this exciting event. If you are not able to attend, please contact Mrs. Rynsburger at mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org and we will make arrangements to welcome you and your child in a special way that does suit your schedule. Thank you!

Jobs & Deals at DITTO!
Looking for a part-time spring and summer job? Ditto is looking for student employees. Please call 396.8870 and ask to speak with a store manager.
For a limited time, adult clothing is only $2.00 per item (excludes boutique and outerwear.) For the month of May, all kids clothing will be $1.00 each!
Thank you for cleaning out your closets and bringing your gently used clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods to ditto! You are making a difference!

Lost and Found Items
Lost and found table is full if you are able in the next few weeks, please take a look at our lost and found to claim lost items.  Anything unclaimed will be donated to Ditto on June 3rd.

Please come join us!
WELCOME Wednesdays
Curious about what happens at Holland Christian? Come take a tour, meet our staff, visit classrooms and see our students as they explore, create, and discover. Welcome Wednesdays will be held at all five Holland Christian buildings, preschool-12th grade, on the following Wednesday, May 25 from 8:30-10:00 AM  If you are interested, Please contact our Admissions Director, Courtney Lampen, at clampen@hollandchristian.org or (616) 820-2804. to save your spot!
      
Girls on the Run
GOtR Website  and A link to all the practice information GOtR Practices.

Host Families Needed
Holland Christian is blessed to have incredibly dedicated families who are passionate about raising their children with a Christian education. There are international parents who dream of providing the best education in the world for their children and are willing to sacrifice enormously for that. Holland Christian can provide teenagers around the world with a quality life-impacting Christian education.  If you would like more information about being a host family and making a significant and lasting impact, please contact Karen DeRoo at kderoo@hollandchristian.org

Immunization requirements
Students entering 7th Grade and Students entering into a new school district must meet the immunization requirements of the state of Michigan, Prior to the start of school. Please make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations, Prior to the next School year.  For more information go to: Immunization Information  or Ottawa County website.  A student who fails to meet the immunization requirement or have a valid waiver, will not be permitted to start school.  Reminder waivers are only good for one year.

Calendar of Events
May           24         6th Grade Fredrick Mejier Gardens Trip ~ All Day
May           25         Welcome Wednesday Event 8:30am - 10:00am
May           25         2nd Grade Moving Up Day 10:30am - 11:15am
May           30         Memorial Day - No School
May           31         Kindergarten Visiting Day, 8:30-9:30
May           31         Field Day at South Side, 12:30 - 2:45pm
June            1          5th Grade Field Trip to Ottawa Beach, Art & Picnic ~ All Day
June            3          Half Day: Last day of Classes
June            3          GOtR ~  The 5K Run!!


Summer Camp links for 2016
www.son-lifecamp.org
www.jbzoo.org/education
www.calvin.edu/go/chemistrycamp
www.calvin.edu/go/ace
www.cultureworksica.com/summer-2016


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Friday, May 6, 2016

May Days


Yesterday was both the National Day of Prayer as well as Ascension Day. The South Side office window was open and the sounds of class after class gathering around our flag pole to offer prayers to our Father in Heaven floated in through the window. What a blessing to hear our youngest three-schoolers offering their sweet sounds of gratitude to God all the way to our second graders lifting the concerns and petitions of another. It is humbling that our great God loves, listens and delights in us. He loves us enough to have lived among us on earth to redeem His people. He ascended into heaven and answers our prayers. And our God guides our lives and uses us to restore His Kingdom. How good and right to praise His name together.

                                











Important Tulip Time Announcements:
  • There will be no HPS busing at 11:30 A.M. Wednesday or Thursday. HPS will be busing, however, to school both mornings, as usual. HC South Side transportation will provide busing as usual for its students, including a 11:30am dismissal on Wednesday.
  • The Kinderparade is scheduled for Thursday, May 12.  All 1st thru 4th grade students will march in costume and good walking shoes (no wooden shoes).
  • All 1st thru 4th grade students will stay at school on Thursday, May 12.
  • Preschool will be dismissed at 11:15 AM. It may be wise to avoid the circle drive in order to ensure your timely exit that morning.
  • Thursday, May 12 - Kindergarten students dismissed at 11:30 AM - no bus service – ALL kindergarten students, Mrs. Becksfort’s, Mrs. Johnson's and Mrs. Strikwerda’s classes should be picked up at the front of school (circular drive).
  • If Thursday’s parade is postponed to Friday, May 13th, Kindergarten students dismissed at 11:30 AM - no bus service –Mrs. Strikwerda’s  students should be picked up at the front of school (circular drive)
  • 1st thru 4th grade students staying at school for the Kinderparade and will need to bring a sack lunch that day.  No hot lunch will be provided.
  • 1st thru 4th grade parents are welcome to come to South Side or Pine Ridge at noon to help dress your child in his/her costume.
  • Holland Public School Transportation will transport South Side and Pine Ridge students to the Tulip Time parade on Thursday.  
  • Our students are in the 2nd Division, following the 6th Grade Band.
  • Please be prompt in picking up your child at the end of the parade route (at the Fire Station on 11th ); * Students need to be picked up by a parent or a high school age student from your child’s teacher.
  • If Wednesday’s parade is canceled due to weather (as announced on WHTC, 1450AM), we will still dismiss at 11:30AM.  If Thursday’s parade is postponed due to weather, we will still dismiss Thursday at 11:30,  And we will follow the Thursday parade day schedule on Friday, May 8.
Feeling overwhelmed? It's a common side effect of Tulip Time :)   Please don't hesitate to ask questions. We'll do our best to help! Another Great source of information can be found at http://www.tuliptime.com/ and Parade Line up information.
Green Commute Week
On Wednesday, May 18th the Holland-Zeeland Area will have a Green Commute School Challenge to recognize students who Green Commute to school that day! What is involved?  Students  let their teachers know how they arrived to school (walk, bike, share a ride with a friend, or take the MAX bus). Last year, six elementary schools promoted the event and had 877 students participate. The winning elementary school was West Ottawa – Woodside Elementary, with 79% of students participating!
Schools that participate will receive a special gift for every student. Every student who utilizes alternative transportation on May 18, 2016 will count as 1 point and the school that has the highest percentage of participating students will receive an award for the school showing their participation and dedication to promoting a more “Green” community.  For more information go to Green Commute Week
Library end-of-year dates:
  • All preschoolers' library books are due by May 13.
  • K-6: The week of May 9-13 is the last week for K-6 students to borrow books. All student materials are due by May 20.
  • *Exceptions are possible for 3rd graders who are working on All Star Reading, and, with teacher permission, for students who need materials for a specific classroom assignment.
May/June Hot Lunch Menu


Hot Lunch Celebration!
Thank you for working on your negative hot lunch balances.   You  have done a great job of chipping away at the negative.  Let's make this into a celebration competition!
The entire school's negative balances are ($2623)...
  • Southside  ($419)
  • Rose Park  ($352)
  • Pine Ridge ($535)
  • Middle School ($371)
Grand Prize is which ever school has a school negative balance of $50 or less on or before May 18, will have a school wide hot dog cookout, with watermelon,chips, veggies, and a very special dessert that the school can vote on....(Brownies, big cookies, ice cream, snow cone machine..yes I said snow cone machine...:)   
This is an all school hands on deck to help eliminate our negative balances...all balances carry over to the next year.....:)  Thank you, Thank you!    Who is going to win the hotdog cookout...on the playground...  I can't wait to start grilling!
If all 4 schools have met the target....all four schools will have an outdoor cookout!
All positive lunch accounts roll over to the next year. If you have multiple students at Holland Christian, we can help you transfer money in between accounts. If you have questions about your account, please call Sue Lambers at 820-2934 or email her slambers@hollandchristian.org.
Jobs & Deals at DITTO!
Looking for a part-time spring and summer job? Ditto is looking for student employees. Please call 396.8870 and ask to speak with a store manager.
For a limited time, adult clothing is only $2.00 per item (excludes boutique and outerwear.) For the month of May, all kids clothing will be $1.00 each!
Thank you for cleaning out your closets and bringing your gently used clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods to ditto! You are making a difference!
Lost and Found Items
Lost and found table is full of cast-off winter gear. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that no one is looking to match another mitten this year! However, we will need to bundle our kids once again next year. If you are able in the next few weeks, please take a look at our lost and found to claim lost items.
Please come join us!
WELCOME Wednesdays
Curious about what happens at Holland Christian? Come take a tour, meet our staff, visit classrooms and see our students as they explore, create, and discover. Welcome Wednesdays will be held at all five Holland Christian buildings, preschool-12th grade, on the following Wednesday, May 25 from 8:30-10:00 AM  If you are interested, Please contact our Admissions Director, Courtney Lampen, at clampen@hollandchristian.org or (616) 820-2804. to save your spot!
Girls on the Run
GOtR Website  and A link to all the practice information GOtR Practices.
Host Families Needed
Holland Christian is blessed to have incredibly dedicated families who are passionate about raising their children with a Christian education. There are international parents who dream of providing the best education in the world for their children and are willing to sacrifice enormously for that. Holland Christian can provide teenagers around the world with a quality life-impacting Christian education.  If you would like more information about being a host family and making a significant and lasting impact, please contact Karen DeRoo at kderoo@hollandchristian.org
4th - 12th Grade Orchestra Concert
You are invited to join the Holland Christian School Orchestras in the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts (221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI 49423) on Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 pm. This concert will feature a variety of music from Ludwig Beethoven and Edward Elgar to the music of Coldplay and an original student composition! See the wonderful progression from 4th to high school orchestras, a beautiful picture of education at Holland Christian.
Holland Christian High School Bands Spring Concert
Join the Holland Christian High School Bands as they present their Spring Concert on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm at the Kollen Park Band Shell. Enjoy some jazz music, the Holland Christian drumline, a work by Wagner, a march by Karl King, a hymn tune, some Disney music, and the music of Star Wars, all while taking in the gentle breezes from Lake Macatawa.


Immunization requirements
Students entering 7th Grade and Students entering into a new school district must meet the immunization requirements of the state of Michigan, Prior to the start of school. Please make sure your children are up to date on their immunizations, Prior to the next School year.  For more information go to: Immunization Information  or Ottawa County website and State Site student who fails to meet the immunization requirement or have a valid waiver, will not be permitted to start school.  Reminder waivers are only good for one year.
Calendar of Events
May           11         No HCHS pm transportation
May           11         Half Day: 11:30am dismissal, Tulip Time Street Scrub
May           12         Half Day: 11:30am dismissal, Kids remain at school to be bussed downtown as classes for the Kinderparade
May           14         Saturday, Tulip Time Parade, Marching Bands
May           16         6th Grade Camp Geneva Trip ~ All Day
May           18         Convocation at the HS 9 - 10am
May           18         POD Outreach EGG Project, 12:15 - 2:45pm
May           24         6th Grade Fredrick Mejier Gardens Trip ~ All Day
May           25         Welcome Wednesday Event 8:30am - 10:00am
May           25         2nd Grade Moving Up Day 10:30am - 11:15am
May           30         Memorial Day - No School
May           31         Kindergarten Visiting Day, 8:30-9:30
May           31         Field Day at South Side, 12:30 - 2:45pm
June            1          5th Grade Field Trip to Ottawa Beach, Art & Picnic ~ All Day
June            3          Half Day: Last day of Classes
June            3          GOtR ~  The 5K Run!!
Summer Camp links for 2016
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