Happy Spring Pine Ridge families!
Spring has officially settled over our school, bringing brighter mornings, blooming flowers along the playground, and a renewed buzz of energy in the classrooms. Students are arriving with lighter jackets and bigger smiles, It is fun to hear the stories of outdoor adventures and watch the trees slowly turn green again. Our bird perch is coming along and we’ve even spotted some feathery friends there! Inside the building, the rhythm of the school year feels renewed as welll—projects are being completed, skills are coming together, and confidence is growing in every corner. We look forward to our field days, class field trips, and final lessons- a celebration in progress! Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we finish the year strong!
With joy,
Mrs. Dinah Pereira
Announcements
Outdoor Learning
Many of our classes both Forest and Classic are spending time off campus and outdoors. Please be sure to keep up with your child’s classroom blog and make sure they are properly equipped for the day. The office has a VERY limited supply of extra gear.
Tulip Time ’26
3rd and 4th grade families: Tulip Time information has been sent home this week with your student. Please make sure the pickup sheet is turned back in to your child’s teacher as soon as possible! Feel free to add 2 options if you aren’t positive yet who is doing the pickup. Also, there is no hot lunch this day; all students will need a home lunch.
5th grade families: 5th grade students do not march in the parade with Pine Ridge. Your child does have the option to help by marching with South Side. Please have your child sign up in the office if they’d like to participate. South Side needs 12 volunteers this year. If your child is not participating, they will need to be picked up at 11:30am. There is no busing!
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons will be happening May 11- 22 for 3rd and 4th graders this year. Please see your child’s blog for more information on when their specific lesson will be and when parents are invited to watch.
Lost & Found
The lost and found album is updated regularly. Please keep checking it out and having your child claim the things that belong to you!
Food Services
Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s online lunch portal if they take hot lunch. Also, please note that refunds are NOT given at the end of the year; money is transferred to the next school year.
If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.
Yearbooks
If you did not order a yearbook this fall when pictures were taken, but would like to have one yet, please sign up on the Geskus Website. If you are unsure, please email the PR office and we can help you.
Student Life & Discipleship Practices
Through our intentional discipleship practices, we’ve seen wonderful growth in our kids both behaviorally and spiritually this year. They are not only gaining a deeper understanding of their faith, but also learning how to live it out in everyday situations. This is evident in the way they show increasing respect toward leaders and peers, take responsibility for their actions, and build healthier, more positive relationships with one another. We were encouraged by how well our coin collection went and we were able to provide 300 breakfast, lunch and hygiene bags for Gateway Mission, who provides so much for those in need in our community. Kids were excited to be a part of that process by decorating bags, making encouraging cards and packing. Moments that once required constant correction are now opportunities where they demonstrate patience, kindness, and self-awareness. Most encouraging is seeing how Jesus is actively working through them—shaping their hearts and guiding their choices. We will finish the year strong with one more whole school celebration coming soon! It is truly a joy to watch them grow together and we love partnering with you!
From Parent Board
Interested in joining the South Side + Pine Ridge parent team next year? Email the office and we will get you connected!
Pine Ridge Carpool Line
Please remember that you may turn only right out of the parking lot between 3:15-3:45pm so we can still get cars in and out as quickly and safely as possible!
Also, remember to pull ALL the way up to the bike rack even if the weather isn’t ideal for drop off (and pickup!) so we can fit as many cars in as possible. We cannot stop in the circle for any reason!
Tardies
The doors at Pine Ridge lock at 8:15 each morning. If your child arrives after 8:15, they will be marked tardy. Thank you for helping us get learning started right away in the morning and utilizing all the time we have!
Moms in Prayer
Moms in Prayer meets Fridays at Providence Church across from HCMS from 8:30-9:30am. We look forward to welcoming any moms who would like to partner in prayer for this school year! Please email Nicole Shook for any questions.
HC Technology Reminders
Personal technology items are not allowed to be used or be visible from the time a student enters school in the morning until the final bell rings. Please do not send personal technology to school, including smartwatches. If such items are seen by a teacher, the student will be asked to put them in their backpack for the remainder of the day and take them home; if seen a second time, the item will be placed in the office for a parent to pick up at the end of the day.
If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send an email to or call the office to have a note delivered. Thank you for helping us make learning a priority!
Medications at School
As a reminder, no student may be in possession of any medication over the counter or otherwise. The only exceptions are an epipen or inhaler with the correct forms completed in the office!
Food Services
Please remember to keep an eye on your child’s online lunch portal if they take hot lunch. If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is our student information database. You will want to bookmark this site! There is also an app available for PowerSchool for your phone which can be very helpful. If there is a change in your phone number or address at any time during the school year, it is important that we are informed right away. Parents can update their information on PowerSchool directly on the Demographics Change tab. This assures up-to-date contact information for your child.
Elementary Handbook
The Elementary Handbook is a great resource for parents providing important details on things like our curriculum, discipline policy, technology policy, etc.
Important Website Links
Calendar
May:
- 7: Half Day: Tulip Time Parade
- 25: No school: Memorial Day
June:
- 3: Half Day: Last Day