In his book Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, renowned German Lutheran Pastor during World War II, describes the intentional, communal life undertaken by his underground seminary, hiding in the German forest. A key feature of this communal life experienced by Bonhoeffer and his students was truly living in the bond of love, living as a community exercising the love of Christ one for another. Love Does, our 2014-2015 theme, inspired us to doing acts of love as individual Christ-followers. The next step for us is to continue to live out the love of Christ in generous ways, doing life together, even experiencing some of those same communal practices exercised by Bonhoeffer and his students.
The swimming lessons our K-4 students have been experiencing have offered our students a very tangible opportunity to come around each other in both love and support in living Life Together. As with all learning, our students demonstrate a wide variety of ability, confidence and excitement. I have been blessed to hear children encouraging one another, complimenting efforts, offering tips and simply being shoulder-to-shoulder when sensing a friend with nerves. It is a blessing to see our children serving one another, even in small ways, as Christ has asked them.
Pastors' Breakfast
In order to have a successful breakfast we would like your help. This week your child/children will be taking home a special invitation for your pastor. Please help your child remember to take this invitation to church this coming Sunday and personally invite your pastor to the breakfast. The pastors will also have the opportunity to visit your child's classroom on the morning of Wednesday, October 7. We are eager to share the blessings of Christian education with your pastor. Please encourage your child to hand deliver the invitation to your pastor after the Sunday service. If your church has more than one pastor whom your child would like to invite, please request additional invitations from the elementary office. Thank you for helping us honor your pastors. We are looking forward to having these very special guests on our campus! Contact Mike Verkaik with any questions by email at mverkaik@hollandchirstian.org
Holland Christian's 1st Annual Homecoming Family Weekend
October 16-17, 2015
HC Alumni, Parents, Friends, and Supporters: This weekend is for you! Bring your family. Connect with friends old and new. See what’s changed and what’s stayed the same. Tell your story and make new memories at our 1st Annual Homecoming Family Weekend!
Friday, October 16, 2015
Friday Night Tailgate BBQ and Football Game: 5:00 pm
Join us for a delicious chicken BBQ and football game vs. Zeeland West! Dinner will feature pit-roasted BBQ chicken, homemade cheesy potatoes, fresh fruit, Hawaiian rolls, and homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Hot dogs will also be available for the kids. This night is designed for families of all ages! There will be bounce houses and inflatables for the kids and the Critter Barn's Ultimate Farm On The Go. Then join us for an action packed varsity football game versus Zeeland West. It’s going to be a great night!
5 pm: Dinner and children's activities
7 pm: Football game vs. Zeeland West
Tickets: $10/person (advanced purchase required)
Purchase tickets at: hollandchristian.org/
Saturday, October 17, 2015
1st Annual Holland Christian Fall Classic 5k: 8:30 am
Join us for the 1st Annual Holland Christian Fall Classic 5k on Saturday morning at HCHS. Run with your family or put together a team with friends or neighbors and save $5 per runner!
Location:
Holland Christian High School
956 Ottawa Avenue
Holland, MI 49423
Day of event registration pricing: $25/person; $20/person for teams of 4 or more.
For details and to register, visit: hollandchristian.org/
Kids Fun Run: 9:30 am Kids 12 and under are invited to join us for a Fun Run after the Fall Classic 5K. All participants receive a bib and ribbon for participating.
Cost: Free! No advanced registration required.
HC Community Breakfast: 8:30-11 am Join us for a delicious breakfast at the High School featuring Holland Christian's famous homemade cinnamon rolls!
Cost: Free! Compliments of the Holland Christian Education Foundation.
Register at: hollandchristian.org/
Holland Christian High School Campus Tours: 8:30-11 am If you haven't been on the high school campus recently, join us throughout the morning for a tour of the High School, led by HCHS students and staff.
Extended Care Program For September 28 Our year is off to a great start, and we are excited about the Before/After School Program options we now have available for our families. It's an example of our desire to partner with parents by making life more convenient for them and ensuring a secure, well-supervised environment for our students. On a few designated dates, Holland Christian Schools will be conducting professional development activities instead of holding classes as usual. Some of these dates fall outside of normal holiday breaks, and we realize that it might be difficult for parents to take off work or come up with babysitters for their children as a result. We'd like to help with that! This year, we are providing the option to bring your children (Preschool-6th Grade) to school on some of these professional development dates and have them enjoy structured, supervised activities. The first of these dates is coming up on Monday, September 28. To help us get the right number of staff in place for the day, please let us know if you'll be using Extended Care Program for your family by Friday, September 18. Any registrations received after this date will be received if space allows. Here are a few details on this day: Program offered from 7 AM - 5 PM Location: Rose Park Christian Elementary Cost: One Student = $5 an hour Two Students = $9 an hour Three or more Students = $12 an hour You will be billed for the total amount time that your family uses the care (EXAMPLE: 2 students - 5.5 hrs in care you would be billed 5.5x$9 = $49.50 for the day). Students need to bring a home lunch and snacks to school. Once your family is registered you will receive an email with more detailed information regarding the day. Families will be billed the usual hourly rate for the time they use. This day is open to all Holland Christian families and we will be meeting that day at our Rose Park Christian Elementary campus. Come for the morning, the afternoon, or the full day! Please visit HERE to let us know if you'll be attending Extended Care on 9/28. For more information on this day or any questions contact Amanda Brouwer - Extended Care Program Coordinator - abrouwer@hollandchristian.org First Steps in Sports Do you have any gently used youth sports equipment that someone else could use? First Steps in Sports is collecting gently used sports equipment at Hope College this week to be used to distribute to families who have a difficult time affording it. Please see this link for more information. http://www.maroonsathletics.org/2015/09/do-you-have-any-gently-used-sports.html |
South Side-
Recess Duty help needed:
We have a few openings on the Sept/Oct calendar for noon recess duty. Would you please check your calendar for the following dates:
Sept 21 (Monday) Oct. 1 (Thursday) Oct. 2 (Friday)
We would appreciate your help in keeping a watchful eye on the playground in keeping our kids safe.
Oct. 9 (Friday) Oct 12 (Monday) Oct. 26 (Monday)
Room Moms
If you are interested and available to assist, we are in need of a room "mom" in both Mrs. Hunderman's class and Miss Sapp's class. Please contact either teacher of the office.
Pine Ridge-
Piano Players for Chapel:
We are in need of Piano Players for Chapel on Wednesday Afternoons from 12:30pm - 1:15pm. If you are available, and would like to sign up for Oct. 14 or 28, and November 4, 11 or 18. Please Contact Laura in the office. 616.820.3505 or lnorman@hollandchristian.org.
Walk-A-Thon
The walk-a-thon has been an excellent way for our schools to raise money for programming throughout the school year. It is a fun and exciting event that implements physical activity in a positive atmosphere for the students. Students have been asked to collect money from family, friends and neighbors. They will participate in a 45-minute walk at the high school track. During the walk there will be fun games and activities for the children to participate in as well. This event will take place in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 23 from 1:00-2:15. Parents are invited to come and cheer on our students. Please help your child bring any money raised to school by Monday, September 21.
We will be welcoming hundreds of wonderful grandparents and grandfriends into our buildings on Thursday, October 8 from 10:15-11:30 at South Side and 12:45-2:00 pm at Pine Ridge. What a wonderful bonding time when our students are able to share a glimpse of their day with their special grandparents or grandfriends. This is a relationship to be treasured! The parent team graciously helps welcome our grandparents at each campus by offering coffee and cookies. We are looking for a few more people to greet grandparents at our doors and help them find classrooms. For some grandparents, it is their first time in our schools and navigating their way in the middle of a busy crowd can feel daunting. If you are able and willing to be a warm, welcoming smile and offer a helping hand from 10:00-10:30am at South Side or from 12:30-1:00 pm at Pine Ridge, would you please email Miska at mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org. We will contact you will the details. Thank you!
Kindergarten DIBELS Assessment
All kindergarten students at South Side and Rose Park will engage in a reading assessment called DIBELS. We are partners with the Ottawa County chapter of Ready for School who will be gathering this data for their record keeping. As we have experienced in the past, teachers came to South Side Thursday, September 17 to listen to each student's knowledge of letter sounds and pre-reading skills. This data is utilized primarily by our county. Our reading assessments which drive our instruction will be implemented by our classroom teachers. However, at your request, you are welcome to this information on your child. Please feel free to email Miska at mrynsburger@hollandchristian.org for further details.
Each year we partner with the Holland Aquatic Center in offering out students swimming lessons. This year swim lessons will be September 14 - 25. Please note there will be NO swimming classes on September 23 for PR due to the Walk-a-Thon event.
School Pictures
We captured some GREAT smiles this week with the School Pictures taken. If you did not turn in an order but would like to order pictures please use the following ID number listed for pictures & yearbooks, available on-line at the address listed below. If you would like to submit a paper order slip please drop it in the office.
South Side Schedule:
Preschool classes:Picture Day ID: WG075118Y0
Yearbook ID: 12269816
Monday, Oct 26th is retake day if your child was ill on the designated day this past week.
Preschool Class scheduled as follows-
Because of scheduling, Mrs. Grassmid's Monday/ Wednesday 3s-Preschool Class (10 students)
is the only class scheduled to have pictures taken on the 26th. If your child was absent please plan to have his/her photo taken on this date whether or not you are placing an order.
Monday, Oct 26, 2015 In the Morning is our Picture Retake Day
Picture Day ID: WG075124Y0
Yearbook ID: 12269816
Be prepared by ordering online at mylifetouch.com
Go to mylifetouch.com
September 20 - 26, 2015
October 18 - 24, 2015
November 22 - 28, 2015
Purchases made with your yes card will automatically be credited to your group's account. A Participant's yes card must be linked to the group's account to earn credit. A yes cardholder needs to visit www.myyesrewards.com to link their card to your group. Once a yes rewards account is linked, it will automatically calculate the rebate for your group. The cashiers at each location store has a list of Program numbers by school name. Thank you for your participation!
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.
Sign up for the program here
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.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
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!
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.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
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!
September 23 - Walk-A-Thon
September 25 - Boxtop Due Date
September 28 - No School
October 7- Pastors breakfast (8:35-10:00)- more details here
October 8- Grandparents Day @ SS (10:15-11:30) and PR (12:45-2:00)
October 16-17 - Homecoming Family Weekend 2015October 7- Pastors breakfast (8:35-10:00)- more details here
October 8- Grandparents Day @ SS (10:15-11:30) and PR (12:45-2:00)
October 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences (evening)
October 21- No School - Parent Teacher Conferences (evening)
October 22 & 23 - No School - CEA Convention
October 26 - Picture Re-take day
REQUESTED ANNOUNCEMENT:
Holland Hospital School Nurse 5K Run/Walk
Holland Hospital invites families to participate in the 2015 School Nurse 5K Run/Walk on Thursday, October 1, at Holland High School. This is a fun, family-style event to benefit the hospital’s School Nursing Program. Students can enter the Run/Walk for FREE by completing ten 30-minute physical fitness activities of their choice prior to the event. Training Card envelopes will be available to students at the beginning of the school year in the school office or at hollandhospital.org by searching “School Nurse Run.” From daily medication administration to treating playground bumps and bruises, the school nurses care for the physical, emotional and social needs of over 11,000 Holland-area students. Registration form
Baton Twirling Classes
Athletic Sensations is offering Baton Twirling Classes beginning September 29, for more information please call 616-460-1747 or email athleticsens@aol.com, visit them on their website at www.athleticsensations.com. Flyers are also available in the school office.
