Happy summer and blessings on the last few weeks before school!
This year’s theme is “Faith like a child” and what a powerful statement that is, as our work is all about children. The word of God speaks to us about the wonder and amazement that comes from living life through the eyes of a child. The word says in Mark 10:14(b) “…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Jesus asks that the little children be allowed to come to him as he delights in them. I have to smile as I think about this in the midst of balancing work and home life–with children! I love to watch my kids play, talk amongst themselves and even sometimes bicker because it is always in such an innocent and almost comical way. Yet there are times where children can be wise and deep because they see the world with a larger-than-life lens. The sky’s the limit when you ask a child to get creative and they dream big and bold dreams.
As we start this year, I will continue to pray that we can all see life where the impossible becomes possible with Christ. That we would dare to dream and pray in big and bold ways. That we may not forget that we are in this world but not of this world, and in knowing that we can live a life free to share the goodness and joy that only comes from Jesus. I will be praying for each of you and your families in the coming weeks and I hope that you would do the same for the staff and teachers at Pine Ridge. Together we can continue to grow and learn what it means to have faith like a child.
Blessings,
Mrs. Dinah Pereira
Principal, Pine Ridge
Announcements
Food Services
Per state law, all private schools are not included in the “Free Meals for All” program that you may have heard about in the news. Families may still apply for lunch benefits on the Holland Christian Family Portal. If your students qualified for Free or Reduced benefits last year, those benefits carryover through September 30. Please apply for Free and Reduced benefits as soon as possible.
Family portal accounts will be ready to receive deposits on Monday, August 14. If you do NOT have a family portal account set up, you will need your student’s ID number. Please email slambers@hollandchristian.org for your student ID number. There is no fee to deposit money into your child’s account with a debit or credit card.
23-24 meal prices are the same as last year:
- Elementary: $2.75
- Middle School: $3.00
- High School Lunch $3.25
- Milk Ala Carte $0.50
- Free and Reduced Meals $0.00
Pine Ridge Carpool Line
As we look to start the new school year it is a good time to introduce our parking lot procedures to our new families, and remind our current families of the procedures!
To drop off, please use the entrance off of Graafschap Road. Go around the entire circle, (stopping in the circle will impede bus traffic) and stop by the sidewalk in front of the building.
To pick up, also use the entrance off of Graafschap Road. Go around the entire circle and join a line that will form along the sidewalk and park. The lines begin by the bike racks. Two parallel lines are used for pickup. For the safety of the students, please stay parked until the teacher permits you to leave.
Ice Cream Social
Our Ice Cream Social will be held on Thursday, August 17 from 6:30-7:30pm. The Ice Cream Social will be open house format. You are welcome to visit the classroom, meet your child’s teacher, bring in your child’s school supplies, and enjoy some ice cream.
Parent Night: Meet the Teacher
On Thursday, August 24 from 6:30-8:00pm we look forward to having parents join us for an evening of meeting your child’s teacher for the upcoming school year. In case you missed it, here are the Class lists!
Health Appraisal and Immunization Records
All students must be up-to-date on their immunizations BEFORE they start the new school year. As you schedule your well-child appointments with your healthcare provider, please be aware these evaluations will need to be completed. Any students without the required immunizations or approved waivers will not be allowed to begin school until they are complete and approved by the State of Michigan. We are grateful for your help with this!
Medications at School
If your child needs to take medication at school–either prescription or over the counter (including inhalers!)–we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so ASAP so it is ready by the first day of school. The necessary form is on our Medical Information & Forms page.
If you have questions, you may also contact Holland Christian’s school nurse, Hendrina Cupery (hcupery@hollandchristian.org). She will help you set up a plan for the office to assist in administering the medication. For safety reasons, Holland Christian Schools is not able to dispense any medication to our students without a doctor’s order. Thank you!
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. PowerSchool parent information, including passwords and usernames, will be e-mailed to parents at the beginning of the year or provided to you upon enrollment if you enroll mid-year. If there is a change in your phone number or address at any time during the school year, it is important that 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.
You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply log in, then either an “update demographic screen” will automatically pop up, or simply click the “change demographics” button on the left of the screen. This information is necessary for field trip participation, emergency response and treatment, student photo permission, and for the office to easily be able to contact a parent or guardian as needed or desired. When listing your child’s emergency contacts, please be sure to list two contacts other than yourself.
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
Calendar
August:
- 1: Office opens daily from 9am-3pm
- 17: Ice Cream Social
- 22: First day PK-12
- 25: Parent Night
- 30: All School Convocation
September:
- 1-4: No school: Labor Day
- 5: School resumes
- 21: School Pictures
- 27: Walkathon