This week our Pine Ridge and South Side staff and students were given the opportunity to do Life Together in a unique and very meaningful way. When those you love are joy-filled and excited, it’s easy to skip alongside in life and celebrate together. But equally important, when those you love are cast into sorrow, we walk alongside and share the burden. At the news that Mrs. Vogelzang’s husband, who is also Mrs. Stoep’s father, passed into glory last Friday, we opened our arms seeking ways to help those friends whom we love and are in pain. Our staff and students were very grateful that the invitation was accepted to join together as a student body allowing the Rose Park students to come to our campuses on the south side of town. This allowed for the entire Rose Park staff to come together as an extended family at the funeral service. I am told the service was a beautiful tribute to the life that Dave led during his time on earth. I know first hand that the time our children spent with their cross-town “cousins” was beautiful. Many children were quickly at ease with their new friends. Children did not solely cling to the faces of familiar friends, but rather easily broadened their circles and enjoyed each other’s company. We partook of a variety of activities including singing, unpacking Psalm 23, playing and learning together. It is a beautiful sight to see children learning at a tender age how to live life together as we walk hand-in-hand toward our heavenly home.
Wellness
When learning about ways to optimize learning, all research points to maintaining healthy bodies to support our healthy minds. To that end, we are excited to implement a few simple changes at both Pine Ridge and South Side as more small steps toward healthy living and whole-child learning.
Pine Ridge’s new gaga ball pit was such a roaring success that Mr. Howell quickly installed another pit to involve more children in the active play. This is in addition to the new foot golf course that keeps kids moving, playing and engaged positively during recess breaks.
South Side is excited to announce an initiative we call “Wellness Wednesday”. Wellness Wednesday will be one day in the week during which teachers and students will analyze intentionally what we are feeding our bodies during snack and lunch. Our South Side children’s bodies are small. What we feed these little bodies with has a big impact on how they feel, how they focus and how they are able to learn. During snacks and lunch, we’ll casually assess the food groups represented in our food choices. Throughout the day, teachers will intentionally include brain breaks in our learning sessions and keep children’s bodies moving while learning and reviewing concepts in some very creative, fun ways. You will see staff members dressed in work out wear. This will serve as a tangible reminder that God made our bodies to work most efficiently when we are moving and active. We’ll make movement an important part of the day. Wellness Wednesdays will require nothing different from you…unless your child wants to trade in a package of fruit snacks for a fresh clementine ;) We hope the accumulation of small changes over time will have a big impact on the overall health and care we are taking of our bodies. Each body is truly a miracle from God. We should care for them as such.
Healthy Treats vs Empty Treats
At the start of the year the request was made during parent night at both Pine Ridge and South Side to trend toward healthier choices when bringing in snacks or food for an entire class. Teachers and staff have committed to the same. Thank you for partnering with us in this effort. We've seen many creative, healthy alternatives to the "cupcake" treat. We appreciate your effort as we do our best to create great learning experiences in the best possible learning conditions!
Report Cards
Please be sure to check backpack for Quarter - one report cards for sent home today.
Report Cards
Please be sure to check backpack for Quarter - one report cards for sent home today.
Next Blog Post
Due to the short week next week and CEA, the next blog post will be Oct 30th.
Double Your Online Donation!
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.
Our priority when releasing students, at the close of each school day, is to safely and securely return your children back to you. During carpool, many children wait at the center front doors for their name to be called in order to be released to their parents’ car. To help relieve some of the congestion at the front doors, we will unlock the front doors to the south, near the gym, and we request that parents who are entering and exiting with their children, please use the south front doors. Thank you for your cooperation!
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 has changed and what has 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 dinner 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. This night is designed for families of all ages! There will be bounce houses and inflatables for the children 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 sure 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 online or in the office)
Purchase tickets at: hollandchristian.org/homecoming
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
Advanced registration pricing: $20/person; $15/person for teams of 4 or more.
Day of event registration pricing: $25/person; $20/person for teams of 4 or more.
For details and to register, visit: hollandchristian.org/homecoming/fall-classic
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/homecoming
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 October 21
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, HCS 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 next date is coming up on Wednesday, October 21. 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 October 16.
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 ($5 - One Student, $9 - Two Students, $12 - Three Students) for only 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. We'd love to have your children!
Please visit HERE to let us know if you'll be attending Extended Care on 10/21. PICTURE RETAKE DAY
October 26 - Morning Picture Re-take day for South Side
October 29 - Morning Picture Re-take day for Pine Ridge
Please note the Date Change for Pine Ridge Picture Re-take Day!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
South Side & Pine Ridge-
Boxtop, Campbell's, and Spartan Label Helpers Needed:
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 a year. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pat pmeiste@hollandchristian.org or Laura lnorman@hollandchristian.org for more details.
CASH FOR CLASS
October 18 - 24, 2015
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 the account to earn credit. A yes cardholder needs to visit www.myyesrewards.com to link their card to your school. Once a yes rewards account is linked, it will automatically calculate the rebate for your school. The cashiers at each location store has a list of Program numbers by school name. Thank you for your participation!
FIRST ANNUAL ORNAMENT NIGHT
Holland Christian preschool program is holding a night of fun as listed-
- Tuesday, November 10 from 6-9pm @ Rose Park
- Thursday, November 12 from 6-9pm @ South Side
The cost is $10 per ornament. No appointment or experience needed. All supplies are provided to make a fun ornament and will be available for pick up in classrooms November 23rd and 24th. We are looking forward to a night of great memories and new traditions! Proceeds support Holland Christian Preschool Department.
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!
SCHOLASTICS BOOK FAIR
Student or Parent Volunteers needed to help with the Scholastics Book Fair at Pine Ridge to help set up on November 17th, after School. We are also looking for Parent Volunteers to help run the event on November 18, 19 and 20th. If you are willing to help, please contact Val Nyhof at valnyhof@hotmail.com or Pat/Laura in the school offices.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 16-17 - Homecoming Family Weekend 2015
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 for South Side
October 29 - Picture Re-take day for Pine Ridge
October 29 - Picture Re-take day for Pine Ridge
October 28 - B & I Drive
November 18,19 & 20 - Scholastics Book Fair at Pine Ridge
November 25 - No School: Staff Development
November 26-27- Thanksgiving Vacation
December 21-Jan 3 - Christmas Vacation
January 4 - All Classes Resume
Requested Announcements
Help Direct the 8th Grade Play at HCMS
If you are interested in assisting with the 8th grade play, please contact Sam Fox. sfox@hollandchristian.org.
Requested Announcements
Help Direct the 8th Grade Play at HCMS
