Rose Park Newsletter: August 2026

Rose Park Families,

I hope you’ve enjoyed a fantastic summer! What fun it is to explore all of God’s beautiful creation here in Michigan. From beaches and parks to backyard adventures and special family memories, I hope you’ve had time to soak it all in and enjoy this season together!

As we’ve turned our calendars to August, we are excited and busy preparing for a wonderful new school year ahead. A new year always brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, and perhaps even a few nerves. I pray that as your children think about moving up to the next grade level or coming to Rose Park for the first time, they quickly find a home here and know just how deeply loved, valued, and cared for they are by our wonderful staff.

This year is especially meaningful as Holland Christian begins celebrating its 125th year. What a milestone to celebrate together as we reflect on God’s faithfulness through the generations. Our theme this year is His Love Endures Forever, and we are thankful for the truth of those words as we celebrate God’s faithfulness to our school throughout this special year.

As we look ahead to all that God has in store, I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Ice Cream Social on August 20 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. It will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends, meet new families, and visit each classroom as we joyfully kick off another year together!

Blessings to each of you,

Katelyn Roskamp

Announcements

Back to School Details:

Class Lists – were emailed to you on August 3rd!
School Supply List
HCS District School Calendar
Carpool Instructions

Please Welcome!

We are excited to have Grace VanderHill and Yvette Sibley join our staff at Rose Park this year, please read more about them in their bios here!

Parent Information Night

We are excited to welcome parents to meet the teachers, ask questions, and get more detailed information for the upcoming school year!

Please join us on Thursday, August 27 from 6-7:20.

6:00-6:20–Y5 through 2nd grade parents will meet with classroom teachers
6:20-6:50–All parents for an overview with Ms Roskamp
7:00-7:20–preschool and grades 3-5 parents will meet with classroom teachers

Ice Cream Social

We are hosting the back to school Ice Cream Social on August 20 from 6-7 pm. This is a great time for students to see their new classroom, meet their teacher, bring their school supplies, and reunite with friends!

First Day of School

Our first day of school is Tuesday, August 25. It will be a full day with a regular schedule, doors unlock at 7:55 for morning drop off, and the first bell rings to start the day at 8:10!

Food Services

To deposit money into your child’s lunch account or to apply for free/reduced lunch benefits, please go to Family Portal. If you have any questions, please email Sue Lambers.

Enrollment & Medical Paperwork 26-27

All students entering preschool, kindergarten, and new transfers have a variety of paperwork that needs to be filled out and turned in by August 8, 2025:

Please be sure your child entering these grades is up to date on all immunizations or see below for non-medical exemptions. These documents are due to the Rose Park office by Wednesday, August 7. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at the administration office on 40th Street.

Non-Medical Exemptions (Formerly Waivers) Information:

If your child is a new student coming to HC from a different school district, your old non-medical exemption is invalid, and you will need to schedule an appointment. If your child currently has a non-medical exemption and is returning to Holland Christian for the 26-27 school year and moving from:

3s preschool to 4s preschool: The current non-medical exemption on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the non-medical exemption.
3s/4s preschool to Young 5s: New non-medical exemption needed; please schedule an appointment.
4s preschool to kindergarten or Young 5’s: New non-medical exemption needed; schedule an appointment ASAP at your county health department.
Young 5s to Kindergarten: Current non-medical exemption on file is good unless you have chosen to complete a vaccine series during the year that was waived on the non-medical exemption.

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.

School Pictures

For those of you really planning ahead, Rose Park picture day is September 16-17. Once order forms are received from GPI they will be sent home with students. If you plan to order a yearbook, please make sure to do that at the beginning of the year!

Absences

Please call the school office at 616.820.4055 or email us any time before 8:30 am to let us know each day your child will be absent. You may leave a voicemail any time and it will be checked in the morning when the office opens. Please leave any symptoms your sick child may have

Transportation

For complete busing details, please visit our Transportation page.

Student Safety

After the school day is underway, all doors will be locked. All students who arrive late for school must check in at the front office. This policy also applies to picking a student up from school. Please be sure to inform both your student’s teacher AND the office at rp@hollandchristian.org.

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 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.

Moms in Prayer

Our Rose Park Moms in Prayer group will begin meeting again this fall, and we would love to have you join us on Wednesdays after drop-off in the Rose Park conference room. We meet for about 45 minutes, using Moms in Prayer guides to lead us through adoration, silent confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. We also pray Scripture over our children, as well as the teachers and staff at Rose Park.

I have been part of this group for the past three years, and it has had a profound impact on my prayer life. Taking time to praise God alongside other women has been such a gift, bringing a renewed perspective even on difficult mornings. It is also an encouragement to have others pray for my children and a privilege to do the same for theirs.

If you have any questions about Moms in Prayer, please feel free to call or text.

Amanda DeVries
(616) 201-7402

Barn Chores

We are looking for families who are interested in caring for our animals (2 goats and 3 chickens) on the weekends! If your family would be interested in participating in this fun adventure, please let Ms. Roskamp know!