Have you walked the halls at South Side and seen all of the amazing student artwork and class projects hanging up? Our students are amazing creators and artists. The arts are such a vital piece of what we do at South Side. Young children are creative by nature – I believe it is one way we image our Father and one way “faith like a child” can be seen. Children take risks, try things, experiment, make messes, and see beauty in small things. Young children also need to learn in concrete ways and with hands-on materials. Art gives them physical things to touch and manipulate. It helps them to learn because it allows them to move and feel and see things. Their thoughts become tangible through art.
Our Young 5s and Kindergarten classrooms worked really hard on a Christmas musical performance in December. Music is another way we express ourselves artistically. These students learned about Christmas. They took the story of baby Jesus – God with us – and rooted it deep in their hearts throughout the whole month. Then they shared the good news through their songs, acting, and beautiful artwork with each other, some nursing home residents in the area, the other students at South Side, and eventually with their parents through their many performances. I am so proud of them and also immensely blessed by their praises to our Father! I can’t wait to continue on this journey of Christian education with them and with you in the new year.
Christy Haig
Announcements
Discover South Side
Do you or any of your friends or extended family have a prospective preschooler or kindergartener? Are you looking into options for the 2024-2025 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 South Side’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 our Admissions Department at admissions@hollandchristian.org or 616.820.2806. You can begin by filling out our Inquiry Form. Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year begins on February 1, 2024.
Enrollment for 2024-2025
Applications for preschool and kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year will open to the public Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 9am. Please visit our Apply Page to fill out your online application. Again this year: Current HC families and HC staff will have early access to our 24-25 application. Please apply from January 30 at 9am to January 31 at 9pm. We thank you for choosing Holland Christian.
Holland Christian is a continuous enrollment school. This means, in an effort to simplify the process for our current K-12 families, you will not need to re-apply every year (this is, after Kindergarten). We are happy that you are a part of the Holland Christian family, and our hope and plan is that you want to continue partnering with us in the years to come!
To our Parent Board
Thank you for the wonderful Christmas lunch the Parent Team provided for the staff during the week leading to the Christmas break. Also, thanks for covering the noon recess duties too! The time spent together over lunch was so fun for the teachers. Your generosity and extra thoughtfulness is so very much appreciated.
Report Cards
God is so faithful! We can’t believe we’re already nearing the end of the first semester! It officially ends on Friday, January 12 and Report Cards will be available electronically on Friday, January 19. Take some time to celebrate and reflect on the growth your child has already made this year, and let’s continue to find ways to keep challenging your child during the second semester.
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center are returning for 1st-4th grade students at Holland Christian. Our first and second grade lessons will be March 18-28. More details to come.
Wacky Wednesdays
The Parent Board has some fun Wacky Wednesdays planned to spruce up our winter Wednesdays at South Side and Pine Ridge! Here is the schedule:
- January 17: Pajama Day
- January 24: Sports Day (Only apparel please- no sports equipment or hats)
- January 31- School Spirit
- February 7- Twin Day (find a friend to match with)
The Winning Class for each week (highest % participation) will win a voucher for a hot chocolate party on a date that works for the class.
Substitutes Needed
We can always use more available substitute teachers! If you love working with kids, have obtained 60 or more college credits, and are willing to have a background check/fingerprinting done, we would love to add you to our list! If you are interested, please email Rachel Hendershot, or you can start an application on the Edustaff Website.
Important Website Links
Upcoming Dates
January:
- 1-5: No school
- 8: Classes resume
- 16: Discovery Night at South Side 6pm
- 17: Pajama Day
- 12: End of first semester
- 15: No school (MLK Day)
- 19: Report Cards live in PowerSchool
- 24: Sports day (Only apparel please- no sports equipment or hats)
- 30: Preschool and kindergarten 2023-2024 enrollment open for current HC families at 9am
- 31: School Spirit
February:
- 1: Preschool and kindergarten 2023-2024 application open for new families at 9am
- 7: Twin Day (find a friend to match with)
- 16: No school (Teacher professional learning)
- 19: No school
