Pine Ridge Newsletter: December 2025

As I sat to watch our 3rd graders—new not only to Pine Ridge this year but also to the rhythms of this learning community—prepare for their presentation, I was reminded what a wonderful time of year this is. We have now found our place, we are finding comfort in the familiar routines and now, traditions that will return each season. Here at Pine Ridge, we’ve been blessed to take part in several presentations and performances that invite us to pause, reflect, and celebrate together. In all of these moments, we seek to be discerning—looking for the Lord’s truth and learning how to praise Him through our work and our growth. I was in awe of the curiosity, courage and conviction our 3rd graders showed while preparing and seeking wisdom. May we all find ourselves growing in Christ and seeking his discernment in all things.

In Christ,

Dinah Pereira

Announcements

Book Fair: December 8-10

Our school book fair is more than just a chance to pick up a new favorite book–it is a fun and exciting way to support our school library! Every purchase helps us earn new books for our Pine Ridge library by putting more stories, knowledge and inspiration into the hands of our students. In order to make this happen, we need your help! Please sign up to help us make our school book fair a successful event.

Even if you can’t help out, please come join the fun and help us grow our library, one book at a time! You are welcome to come in and check out the fair or you can order online as well. The online store link will be available starting November 14 to view and December 5 to shop.

Technology Reminders

As we get closer to Christmas, please remember the following information as you begin to shop and create Christmas lists for your children. Personal technology is not necessary in a school setting and disrupts the learning environment. This includes, but is not limited to:

Cell phones
Smartwatches
personal laptops
MP3 players
any other non-school-issued personal technology.

These 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. If a student needs to use their device, they must receive direct permission from a staff member. 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!

Christmas Spirit Days

To get in the spirit of Christmas, we are going to have some fun, themed days our last week of school before Christmas Break, December 15-19. Here’s what we (along with South Side & Forest School) have planned:

12/15 Monday: Christmas headgear (antlers, hats)
12/16 Tuesday: Christmas sweater
12/17 Wednesday: Red/green day
12/18 Thursday: Christmas socks
12/19 Friday: Christmas PJs

Save the Date
Pine Ridge, along with South Side and Forest School will be holding our Spring Program on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30-7:30 at Christ Memorial. More details will follow.

Thank you

The Parent Board, along with all of our staff at Pine Ridge, would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the encouragement you shared throughout November. Your kind cards, uplifting notes, and thoughtful little gifts meant so much to us.

Lost and 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!

Student Life & Discipleship

This month we have set our focus on how to be servant living here at Pine Ridge. We are participating in ways that we can give as our minds can sometimes wander to “what will we get”. We are sharing during our chapel groups how to be respectful to those who may not have as much, how to be responsible with what we do have and how to cultivate relationships that help us be community minded. This month we celebrated our growth as a community by having a caramel apple read and feed.

Practice Respect, Practice Responsibility, Practice positive Relationships.

Pine Ridge Carpool Line

Thank you so much for your patience in working through construction! We are back to our normal flow of traffic. Here are a few reminders on how that works since its been a bit:

Use the Graafschap Road/60th Street entrance and exit.
Always pull ALL THE WAY up to the bike racks (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, the tennis courts or anywhere else!
Please use your hazard lights at pickup and leave them on until your student is in the car.
The only children permitted to walk are those that are walking/biking directly home or their parent is a staff member of Holland Christian.

Moms in Prayer

Moms in Prayer meets Fridays at Providence Church across from the middle school 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.

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

For students taking hot lunch, please 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 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.