Friday, January 15, 2016

Discovery, January 15, 2016




I am not very good at trivia. I never listened to much music growing up, so I don’t know a lot about bands, songs, or even the genres of music. I watched some T.V. and a few movies over the years, but not to the point where I can quote characters or know the catch phrases that made it into mainstream vocabulary. I did enjoy the first original Star Wars movie, so when my daughters and my nieces and nephews decided to see “Star Wars The Force Awakens” this past Christmas break, I could not resist the opportunity to plug back in, even though it has been thirty years. When the audience cheered the return of the Millennium Falcon, Hans Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, I was thinking, Wow! they look old! Well, maybe not Chewbacca.  Time does not stand still and things change.

As we host prospective parents on Tuesday, January 19, at South Side, this is a new generation of not only parents but students too. These preschoolers and kindergarten students will graduate in the year 2029. I wonder how things will change in the span of their years at HC.

None of us know what the future holds for these children, but one thing that does not change is God’s faithfulness to us. Let’s pray that God will once again bless us with new students at Holland Christian, a place where we can provide an education that looks toward tomorrow and, no matter the changes that life brings, offers students the tools to explore, to encourage curiosity, and to meet challenges and transform the world for Christ.



School Closings
Stay tuned to WOOD-TV8 and WZZM-13 for school cancellations.  You may also register online with either station to receive notices via email, phone, or text. This notice is also available through Power School, our school data base program.

HC Showcase-2016
"Doo-Wop: A Night of Song, Dance, and Nonsense Syllables" Come join the Living Hope Singers for a fun night of solos, duets, and group numbers from the Doo-Wop era. Showcase 2016 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, 2016 at 7:00 pm in the Holland Christian Fine Arts Auditorium. Reserved tickets are available online at www.hollandchristian.org/livinghope for $10. Order tickets early for the best seats! (High school student general admission $8 tickets will be sold two week prior to the show during the lunch hours.)   Benjamin's Hope will receive $1 from each ticket sold.  For more information, contact Tam Treffers at 616-218-9181 or treffers@charter.net.

Discovery Nights Next Week! 
If you know a family considering HC for preschool or kindergarten next fall, our Discovery Nights are a great way to learn more! These nights will be held January 19 at South Side and January 21 at Rose Park from 6-7:30 pm. Childcare is provided. It's an excellent way to experience a glimpse into the great things that happen at HC. Invite your friends - you are Holland Christian's best sales force!

2016-17 Kindergarten Enrollment
Kindergarten is an amazing year filled with exploration and discovery of God’s world! 2016-17 kindergarten enrollment opens to the public February 3, but families with children already in Holland Christian Schools prek-12th grade may enroll early beginning Tuesday, February 2, at hollandchristian.org/apply. (Important! We are not able to process registrations submitted prior to February 2.)

We will again be offering 3-Day+ and 5 Day classes. Children will need to be 5-years-old by September 1, 2016, to enroll in kindergarten. Please enroll by March 1 in order for us to prepare class lists. If you have any questions about enrollment, would like a tour, or need assistance in finding the perfect fit for your child, please contact Courtney Lampen at (616) 820-2804 or clampen@hollandchristian.org.


2016-17 Preschool Enrollment
2016-17 preschool enrollment is right around the corner and we're excited to begin enrolling our youngest learners! We're again offering 3-year-old, 4-year-old, and Junior Kindergarten morning classes, afternoon enrichment classes, and before and after school care. With these options, parents can create a fully customized schedule, ranging from part-time to full-time enrollment, that best meets their family's needs. Learn more at: hollandchristian.org/schools/preschool

Preschool enrollment opens to the public February 10, but families with children already at Holland Christian Schools prek-12th grade may enroll beginning Tuesday, February 9. Go to hollandchristian.org/apply, create a username and password of your choice, and complete the requested information to enroll in the class you'd like. Important! We are not able to process applications received prior to February 9. Preschool enrollment requires a $75 deposit.


Makers Week
During the week of February 22, your child will be engaged in Makers' Week at both Pine Ridge and South Side. During Makers' Week, all students will be involved in engineering and/or technology-based projects. Our students will work side-by-side with teammates from all grades within their building that have a common interest rather than a common age. We anticipate collaboration, problem-solving, coaching and encouraging among our children as they build, create, design and publish their work. You will hear more about this opportunity in the coming weeks http://www.hollandchristian.org/makers-week

We are in need of a few donations. If you have any of the following laying around the house that you would be willing to part with, we will put these items to sound use! Thank you for taking a look at our list of needs:

  • Small hand-tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, hammer


Lacrosse Meeting for 3rd - 6th Grades
We will be holding an informational meeting on Monday,January 18th, at 7pm at HCHS Lecture Hall for all 3rd-6th graders interested in playing HC lacrosse.



Wacky Wednesdays
Our parent team is once again sponsoring our Wacky Wednesday fun. Please take a look at the dates and theme as voted on by our sixth graders.:

Crazy Hair Day -    January 20
Mismatched Day -  January 27
Hat Day -                February 3


ACE News  
South Side  & Pine Ridge
​We ​kicked off the LEGOS MOTORS & MORE JR. (SS) and BEADAZZLED and SPORTS SPECTACULAR (PR) class ​yesterday!   The ACE classes at SS and PR will continue through Thursday, February 18​, and we will use our February 25 ​make up date if classes are canceled due to weather​.​  ​Thank you in advance for ​picking up​ your child​ promptly at ​4:55pm. You may contact Krista Seabolt at kseabolt@hollandchristian.org with questions.

CHAMPS books are available
We have CHAMPS coupon books available in the office for the fabulous price of $25 a book. They make great gifts for any reason or season.  Come check them out!

Reminder of Ski Club Dates:
Today's Ski club is canceled for 6th grade due to weather.
Please keep these dates on your calendar :   Jan.   22    Feb. 5 & 19       March 4

Dress for the Weather
Please be sure to send your child with a jacket, hat, snow pants, and  mittens, etc.  We do not have enough 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!

Volunteers Needed:
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 February 10, 17 and 24.  Please Contact Laura in the office.  616.820.3505 or lnorman@hollandchristian.org.

BOGO SALE at ditto.
Do you have some Christmas money to spend? Maximize your dollars at ditto! Buy One Clothing Item and Get One Free during the months of January and February. Visit our website at http://www.dittoresale.com for your BOGO coupon. Also new at ditto—Customer Loyalty Cards. Your family wins with ditto!

Family Fun Night
Clue #1 - "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish"   Hmmm.... got you wondering? Well, for now just mark your calendar for Friday, March 18 from 5:30 - 8:00 for Family Fun Night at Pine Ridge.  More information coming soon!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January      15                6th Grade Ski Club Trip
January      18                No Holland Public Bus Transportation for AM or PM
January      19                Discovery Night 6:00pm - 7:30pm
January      20             Wacky Wednesday - Crazy Hair Day
January      22                6th Grade Ski Club Trip
January      27               Wacky Wednesday - Mismatched Day
February      3             Wacky Wednesday - Hat Day
February      5                6th Grade Ski Club Trip
February     19               6th Grade Ski Club Trip
February    22-26           Maker’s Week
February    12               No school, Staff Development
February    15               No school, Winter Break
March          4                6th Grade Ski Club Trip
March        17                No Holland Public Bus Transportation for- PM
March        18                End of Quarter 3
March        18                Fun Night at Pine Ridge (save the date)
March        28, 29          Parent Teacher conferences (evening)
March        30                Half day,  P-T Conferences
March        31-Apr 8      Spring Break

Requested Announcements

Kinder Dutch Dance Signups have begun.  
Tulip Time will be coming up quickly!  Being sent home today with 3rd - 5th Graders is information on Kinder Dutch Dance.  Please review the information and come enjoy the fun! Home Page | Tulip Time, May 7-14, 2016 - or contact Nicole Prins  at Nicole@tuliptime.com

Baton Twirling Classes
Come join the fun and learn how to twirl a baton!  Baton twirling is making a comeback as the latest and greatest sensation!  Don’t miss out on all the fun!  Pink information sheets will be sent home today for 3rd-6th graders.  For more information go to:  http://www.athleticsensations.com/ or contact Athletic Sensations (616) 460-1747 or email:  athleticsens@aol.com.