Pine Ridge Newsletter: September 2026 | Holland Christian Schools

It’s so good to be back! There was such a fun buzz in the building on the first week of school. Students greeting each other, friends embracing and even some belly laughs over a fun picture, interesting story or surprise. It is hard to miss the goodness of God amidst all of that. We were able to gather together at our very first chapel and experience worship together while we reflected on our 125 year anniversary as a school. God is faithful and his love endures forever–what an amazing way to celebrate! As I dream for this year, my hope is that we can witness the glory of God together and share in our experiences.

Blessings on a wonderful year!

Mrs. Dinah Periera

Announcements

Walkathon

What is Walkathon? Walkathon is an HC-wide fundraiser where elementary students walk to raise money for their school. The funds raised by Pine Ridge students go directly to Pine Ridge needs, such as classroom supplies, educational outings, and other resources. Parents are welcome to watch the event from the bleachers, while the track is reserved for teachers and students.

Walkathon forms will be sent home in your child’s backpack soon and are due back by Wednesday, September 16. The Walkathon event will take place on Wednesday, September 23.

Picture Day

Pine Ridge picture day is September 24. Order forms will be sent home with students soon. If your student would like a yearbook in the spring, this will be the time to choose that also. Please note that each form is child specific so please make sure each child has their own form. All forms must be turned in regardless of if you choose to order pictures and/or a yearbook.

Grandparent & Grandfriend Day

Save the date: Wednesday, October 7th in the morning! More details will be coming later this month.

Skating Party

Pine Ridge’s Parent Partners are putting together a skating party for Pine Ridge students on November 2nd. More details to follow!

Parent Teacher Conferences

PT Conferences will be held on October 8 and 12. Please look for an email coming from the administration office with how to sign up for these. Also, please remember to note the times you sign up for; the office does not have access to teacher schedules.

Student Life & Discipleship Practices

I am always so grateful to work and send my children to a place that emphasizes not only academics but also partners with us to create disciples of Jesus. Our discipleship practices: Word rooted, God glorifying, beauty creating, image reflecting, wisdom seeking, kingdom bringing, creation keeping, community growing, grace breathing, servant living and order discovering all speak to how we live a life following Jesus. At Pine Ridge we will work together to help kids see those practices in themselves and others. When they struggle, as we all do at times we will walk alongside them and firmly but gently help them to refocus.

This year you will hear these discipleship practices and our PR expectations go hand in hand. They are meant to help keep things simple and yet rooted in how the Word asks us to live. As a reward for going above and beyond our PR expectations, students will earn tickets. Each ticket will be placed into their grade level container to be entered into a raffle to win a small gift card, classroom experience (doughnut holes tend to be a favorite!) or prize from the PR Treasure Chest. The raffle winners will also be recognized in chapel on Monday as a “Spotlight Student” AND have their picture highlighted on the wall to celebrate their going above and beyond. As a school, we hope these fun incentives will build a great sense of community and celebration of each other’s successes.

One way that you as parents can help support these celebrations is by signing up and providing a few $5 gift cards. You can sign up here and we request that gift cards be brought in by September 3 so we can start celebrating our wonderful Pine Ridge students.

Thank you for your support and partnership this year!

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.

Pine Ridge Carpool Line Reminders

Always use the Graafscaap Road/60th Street entrance and exit.
Always pull ALL THE WAY up to the traffic cone (or the car in front of you).
Never stop in the traffic circle. This needs to be clear in case of an emergency as well as for the buses.
Parent pickup is in front of school; it is not at the baseball fields.
Please use your hazard lights at pickup and leave them on until your student is in the car.

Moms in Prayer

Moms in Prayer will be starting back up again this school year on September 5 at Providence Church (across from the middle school) 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.

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. The necessary form is on our Medical Information & Forms page.

If you have questions, you may also contact Holland Christian’s school nurse, Lindsey Prentice. 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!

Food Services

For students taking hot lunch, please make sure deposit money into your student’s online portal before they order! 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 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.

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

September:

4: No school: Labor Day
7: No school: Labor Day
8: School resumes
24: School pictures

October:

7: Grandparent & Grandfriend Day
8: Parent teacher conferences
12: Parent teacher conferences
14-16: No school: CEA Convention
29: Picture retakes