The Reformed Journal recently published an inspiring article about the gift of wonder. Blaine Crawford reflects that, as adults, we have a tendency at this time of year in particular to keep a tight schedule and routine. We steer our children away from mud and puddles and paths less taken. We mentally calculate the number of loads of laundry and the time necessary to clean up. Our adult world is efficient, mechanized, overly-scheduled. Our world is flattened.
“For most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood,” but a child’s world is “fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.”
And so, this Advent, take a walk outside to the forest or the seashore.
Better yet, take a child with you.
Delay dinner an hour and savor the setting sun.
Get up early to glimpse the crystallized frost on fallen leaves.
Stay up late to watch the stars light up the darkened sky.
If it snows, do not delay. Run outside to dance and play.
Become like a little child,
enter the Kingdom of God,
rightly astonished by the wonders God has shown you.”
May you bask together in the wonder and beauty of the gift of Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas and happy, healthy new year to each of you.
Much love and joy,
Katelyn and Miska
Announcements
Our Beloved Front Office Ladies
Thank you, Mrs. VanderZee and welcome, Mrs. Borchert to our front office. Mrs. VanderZee has had changes happen with her family and needed to step away from her beloved role at Rose Park. We are SO grateful for her love and care she has provided for our children and staff. Additionally, we are tremendously grateful to welcome Mrs. April Borchert to our front office. You will see Mrs. Borchert serving our children, staff and families in the front office and Mondays and Tuesdays.
Gadgets for Christmas
Just in case a child receives a smart device or personal tech with connectivity, we want to remind you of our policy to uphold healthy learning spaces throughout HC to the best of our ability.
Personal Technology: Personal Technology is not necessary in a school setting and disrupts the learning environment. Personal Technology includes, but is not limited to, the following:
-
- Cell Phones
- Smartwatches
- Headphones or Earbuds
- Personal Laptops
- MP3-Players
- Etc. (i.e. Any non-school issued personal technology)
If parents need to communicate with their student, they can send their student an email or call the office and get a note from the office. Personal Technology items are not allowed to be used or visible during the time a student enters school until the final bell rings. If a student needs to use their phone, they must receive direct permission from a staff person to do so.
Running in the New Year
Rose Park will have a running club again this spring! We will start on February 18, and meet Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Our final event will be the Tulip Time 5k on Saturday May 3. This group is for anyone who wants to get out and move! Please Sign your runners up using the this link.
Discovery Night at Rose Park
Do you or any of your friends or extended family have a prospective preschooler or kindergartener? Are you looking into options for the 25-26 school year? We’ll be having our Discovery Night on January 16 from 6-7pm, and we’d love to have you come and explore Rose Park’s preschool and kindergarten programs! Since we prepare individually for each family visiting this Discovery Night, an RSVP for the Discovery Night is required.
If you are unable to make it to Discovery Night, you are still welcome to visit Holland Christian Schools in person and see things in action for yourself. Feel free to schedule a campus tour through by filling out our Inquiry Form. Enrollment for the 25-26 school year begins February 1, 2024.
Happy New Year
No school December 23-January 5 for Christmas break and are so excited to welcome your child back to school on Monday, January 6.
Little Maroons Basketball
Little Maroons is a Holland Christian winter basketball opportunity for kindergarten-6th graders to develop in both skill and game play. Grades 5-6 have three clinics before Christmas to prepare for their local 5-6 league run through City of Holland Recreation. Register through Active for the Holland Christian sessions and clinics.
Substitute Need
Help needed!! Rose Park has a handful of WONDERFUL individuals who faithfully jump in and help us fill in for teachers and aides who need to be absent from the classroom. We need to add to this group! If you have even a spark of interest in subbing in a classroom at Rose Park, or you know of someone who may be interested, please reach out and email Suzanne or Katie in the office 616.820.4055. Subbing hours can range from a few hours, to a full day from 8am-3:15pm. If it is your preference to sub only at Rose Park, we can make that happen! A teaching certificate is NOT required.
Hot Lunch
Calendar
View the full Holland Christian calendar
December
- 23-Jan 5: Christmas vacation
January
- 16: Discovery Night at Rose Park
- 6-17: MAP & Delta Testing
- 10: End of 2nd quarter
- 16: Discovery Night
- 17: Report cards available online
- 20: No school MLK Day
