Forest School Newsletter: October 2025 | Holland Christian Schools

Dear Forest Friends,

Even as the world at large seems to be ever frustrated and fractured, our Forest Kids are launching into one of the most stunning of seasons in Michigan. Our children are quite immune to the worldly discord as they are surrounded every day by evidence of God’s majesty and beauty. As they engage with each other and explore creation under the leadership of their loving teachers, may they be blessed to grow in awe and gratitude of our all powerful and providential God of restoration, order, sanctification and love. I pray the words of the Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 27 offer truth and hope to you, each of our families:

Question 27: What do you mean by the providence of God?

Answer: Providence is the almighty, ever-present power of God by which he still upholds, as though with his own hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so governs them

that leaf and blade,

rain and drought,

fruitful and lean years,

food and drink,

health and sickness,

riches and poverty

— indeed, all things, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.

All hope and peace be yours, friends.

Miska Rynsburger

It’s easier to realize how small we are and how great our God is when we rest in Creation and soak in autumnal beauty.

Announcements

Walkathon Thanks

A big special thank you to our parent board for their many hours of work in pulling off a wildly successful 2024 Walkathon. What a joy to see our children skipping, running and strolling the football field together. Additionally we thank YOU, our parents, for your prayerful support and contributions to the educational experiences in your child’s life at school. We are grateful to God for this special community.

Fall Family Night Hike

Mark your calendars and grab your flashlights! Join us for our Fall Family Night Hike Friday, October 17 from 6:00-7:30pm. It will be a night of fun for our children and an opportunity to meet other Forest School families. We hope you’re able to join us in hiking the trails and finding those special nooks and crannies our children are creating in our Forest:

Student Life and Discipleship (SLD)

All of the school building communities at Holland Christian are creating and implementing a new initiative we call Student Life and Discipleship (SLD). Preschool through 12th grade, our students learn what they can expect of us and are taught what is expected of them as we learn to do life together and seek to bring glory to God. We directly teach our Forest Kids how to ride the bus safely, how to worship in chapel, how to safely hike as a class, how to care for one another and how to enjoy play and learning in the Forest. When we see children living into the expectations, we celebrate their effort! When we see them fall short, we offer grace, restoration and a renewed opportunity.

In quarter one of this school year, each grade is focusing on one particular Discipleship Practice:

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Shhh….toward the end of October we have a very special surprise celebration planned for our students’ efforts and care. Ask your child about our pinning ceremony! We’ll be sure to share proud pictures with you!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-teacher conferences will take place on Thursday, October 16 from 4-8pm and Monday, October 20 from 4-8pm. This is a great time to connect with your child’s teacher and discover how the year has begun for your child. You can find all the details on how to sign up in the all-school newsletter emailed to you.

Late Arrival & Early Pick-Up

Please remember to let both the office and your child’s teacher know if your student is going to be late or leaving during our school day. Also, please make sure to sign your student in and out with our attendance form.

Food Services

Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s lunch account.

Picture Day

Picture retakes will be October 6 for kindergarten & 1st grade. Please remember to turn in your original pictures if you wish to have retakes.

2nd grade retakes will be taken on October 30 at Pine Ridge. Again, please remember to turn in your original pictures if you wish to have retakes.

Absences

Please call the school office at 616.820.3505 or email the office any time before 8:30am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please leave any symptoms your sick child may have; this information is a requirement for us to report to the county!

Moms in Prayer

Moms in Prayer is a great way to connect with other moms, pray for your child, and have an impact on the school. Please join us on Fridays at Providence Church from 8:30-9:30am. Please email Nicole Shook with questions.

Mentor Parents

Have a question or would you like advice from an experienced Forest parent? We are blessed with Mentor Parents at each grade level. They are eager to receive your questions and connect with you.

Christy Jones: Kindergarten Mentor Parent: Parent of Dock (3rd grade), Charlotte (2nd grade) and Etta (Kindergarten)
Wonder Compto n: 1st Grade Mentor Parent: Parent of Reagan (3rd grade), Carson 1st grade, Quinn and Brooks
Meagan Cotton: 2nd Grade Mentor Parent: Parent of Nathan (2nd grade) and Kate (6th grade)

Elementary Handbook

The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, etc.

Important Website Links

Upcoming Dates:

View the full Holland Christian calendar

October

11: Report cards
17: Parent-teacher conferences
21:Parent-teacher conferences
23: No school: Professional development
24-25: No school: CEA Convention

November

27-29: No school: Thanksgiving Break