As you are acutely aware and value, child-led play in nature affords our developing children so many rich and important growth opportunities. Research is clear that nearly every aspect of a child is fully engaged and livened when playing and creating in nature. I have also read that a child who spends her formative years in imaginative play is more open to believing and having firm faith in the unseen. I believe our Forest Kids spend their formative years playing in the handiwork of our God and growing closer to Him every day!
Recently our Forest Staff shared an inspiring podcast with each other. I suspect you would enjoy taking a listen as well. The conversation was hosted by an occupational therapist who also values child-led, outdoor free play as well. To educate parents and promote play outdoors, Ginny Yurich started an organization called 1000 Hours Outside. Perhaps your family has even accepted the 1000 Hour challenge! Our Forest School staff decided to create a benchmark celebration with ALL of our Forest Kids marking the moment a child totals 1000 hours of outdoor play outside while at school. When totaling the average, we have chosen Thursday, November 17 in the afternoon to celebrate! We’re going to come together and hold a 1000 Hours Day with all kinds of cross grade level fun and a brief explanation of what your decision to enroll in Forest School has allowed your child!
Guess what! We invited our friends at 1000 Hours Outside to join us in celebrating and we’re so grateful they believe they can make the trek to our Forest for the afternoon to celebrate with us and learn a bit about Forest School! They have even offered to gift our students with some outdoor gifts as part of the celebration!
Friends, thank you for the belief in the Forest School vision and supporting our partnership!
Yours in Christ’s service,
Miska
Announcements
Matilda
HCHS’s Theatre Department is proud to present Matilda for the fall musical this year! Based on the book by Roald Dahl, Matilda is the inspiring story of a girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, psychokinetic powers, and an extraordinary imagination who dreams of a better life. You won’t want to miss this incredibly fun musical. Performances are November 17-19 at 7pm. Due to licensing restrictions we are unable to livestream this Fall’s production, but you can get your in-person tickets on the Theatre Page.
Book Fair
Winter is coming! Get ready to hunker down with a pile of good books. The Parent Board will be hosting a Book Fair at Pine Ridge the week of November 7 as a library fundraiser; all proceeds go to keeping the school library shelves stocked! Families are welcome to shop Thursday, Nov. 10 from 3-4:15pm and Friday, Nov. 11 from 11:15-12:15pm in the Pine Ridge media center.
Interested in helping at the Book Fair? Please check out our Sign-up Genius Link.
Half-day Professional Development
In an effort to grow your children with best practices, we take very seriously the growth of our staff and faculty. To that end, you will note periodic Friday half-days in our calendar this year. We are grateful for your accommodating this learning time for your child’s teacher. You will note the first half-day professional development will be on Friday, November 11.
Little Maroons Basketball
Breakthrough 24
Substitute Need
Help needed!! Forest School has a handful of WONDERFUL individuals who faithfully jump in and help us fill in for teachers and aides who need to be absent from the classroom. We need to add to this group! If you have even a spark of interest in subbing in a class room at Forest School, or you know of someone who may be interested, please reach out and email Kristi and email Cara in the office at 616.820.3505. Subbing hours can range from a few hours, to a full day (8:00am-3:15pm). If it is your preference to sub only in Forest School, we can make that happen! A teaching certificate is NOT required.
Hot Lunch
Upcoming Events
View the full Holland Christian Calendar
November
- 11: Half day of school
- 23-25: No school, Thanksgiving Break
December
- 19-Jan 3: Christmas break
English
Spanish
Chinese (Simplified)
German
Dutch
Arabic
Italian
French
Portuguese
Russian