Welcome back, Pine Ridge families!
As we prepare our classrooms and learning spaces for an amazing new school year, my heart is already filled with excitement for all the wonderful experiences we have planned for your children and your family. Now that our staff is back in the office, there is an unmistakable buzz of anticipation as we count down the days until our students return!
We are truly blessed that you have chosen to be part of the Pine Ridge family this year. One of my greatest joys has already begun—I have been praying for each of your children by name as we look forward to a year of growth, learning, friendships, and fun.
I hope your family enjoys these last precious weeks of summer. Be sure to stop by and say hello at our Ice Cream Social—I would love to see you! It’s the perfect way to reconnect, meet new friends, and kick off what is sure to be an incredible school year.
We can’t wait to welcome you back. Here’s to a fantastic year together!
Mrs. Dinah Pereira
Announcements
All Things Back to School
Here are all the things you need to get ready for back to school
- PR Class lists
- HCS District School Calendar
- Supply list
- Drop off/Pick up
- Homeschool connection letter
Staffing Updates
- We have a new Discovery encore class and welcome Mrs. Johanna Heisler as the teacher.
- Fifth grade is growing! We are welcoming Mrs. Stephanie Stein as our newest 5th grade classic teacher. She has previously helped in many capacities but most recently with our forest program.
- Fourth grade teachers have changed their names! Miss Kirsten Crouse is now Mrs. Litwiller and Miss Olivia Kuiper is now Mrs. Hall. Congratulations to them both on their summer weddings!
Office Hours
The office is open daily 9-3. Please note: we will be closed a few times to attend trainings and other meetings. A note will be posted on the door if we are unavailable.
Absences
Please call or email the school office at 616.820.3505 any time before 8:15am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail at any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens.
Moms in Prayer
Before/After School Care: 26-27
The doors at Pine Ridge open at 7:50 each school morning and students are dismissed at 3:15 each afternoon. If you need care outside of these hours, please check out the Before/After School Programs.
Medications at School:
If your child needs to take medication at school including an inhaler, we need an updated form signed by their physician each school year. If you have not done this yet, please do so asap. The medication forms can be found on the Medical Information and Forms Page for your convenience. You are welcome to email Lindsey Prentice, our school nurse. 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 (prescription or non-prescription) to our students without a doctor’s order and students are not allowed to be in possession of ANY medication with the exceptions of an epipen or inhaler. Thank you!
Lost & Found
The lost and found album is where we post items that have been misplaced by students. Please be sure to check this album often so items can make it back to the correct home.
Student Life & Discipleship Practices
I am so blessed to have two boys who are wonderfully made—and wonderfully different! In our house, whenever we’re getting ready for a transition or trying something new, I can count on hearing at least ten questions a day: What time are we leaving? What will happen there? What does it look like? Will there be other kids? Am I going to be able to…? The questions seem endless! But honestly, they’re completely normal. God created us with minds that like to prepare, understand what to expect, and think things through before stepping into something new.
The start of a new school year is no different. We want our students to have as many of their questions answered as possible before they walk through our doors. When children know what to expect, they are more likely to feel safe, confident, and ready to enter a space that will become their home away from home throughout the year.
At Pine Ridge, we want to make that transition as simple, welcoming, and meaningful as possible. Over the coming months, you’ll hopefully hear your child talking about our Discipleship Practices and our PR Expectations.
Our 12 Discipleship Practices are designed to partner with you as you disciple your children to know, love, and follow Jesus. You’ll see these practices throughout the HC campus and in every classroom as they become part of our daily rhythms.
Woven into each Discipleship Practice are our PR Expectations: Practice Respect, Practice Responsibility, and Practice Positive Relationships. These shared expectations give both students and adults a common language for how we care for one another, learn together, and build a Christ-centered community.
Our prayer is that these intentional, proactive practices create a school environment where every child feels known, safe, and encouraged—a place where learning, growth, and caring relationships can flourish all year long.
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 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.
You must update your demographic information in PowerSchool each fall with your latest and most accurate contact information. Simply login, 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.
Food Services
Please remember to add money to your child’s online lunch portal. If you have any questions about lunches, please contact Sue.
Important Website Links
Calendar
August:
- 3: Office Hours resume at Pine Ridge (9am-3pm)
- 7: All new student paperwork is due via email/mail/drop-off to the office
- 20: Pine Ridge Ice Cream Social 6:30-7:30pm
- 25: First day of school for preschool-12th grade, full day
- 26: Parent information night (parents only) at 6:45pm- 8.
September
- 4: No school
- 7: No school: Labor Day