Spring is in the air. It is so much fun seeing everything come back to life…there is more sunshine, warmer temperatures, things are starting to blossom…I just LOVE spring. What an amazing Creator we serve, who has designed such beautiful intricacies that each have a very specific purpose, but also are incredibly beautiful for us to enjoy.
I hope that you all enjoy some time with your family as we take a break from school for a bit for some fun and rejuvenation. When we come back to school, we will have so many different and fun activities to do between then and the end of the school year.
Erin Wyma
Announcements
Thank You
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to meet with teachers for conferences. What a wonderful time of celebrating all the growth that has already happened this year!
Also, many thanks to the Parent Board and parents who signed up to provide meals for teachers during conferences. The meals were delicious, and the teachers enjoyed gathering around the table together without having to worry about packing extra meals in the midst of conferences. Your generosity is SO appreciated!
Tuition Grant Application
The Tuition Grant online application process for the 2023-24 school year began February 1. The Facts Application is available on the FACTS website. If you have questions, please email Terry VanDerKolk our tuition accounts manager, or call her at 616.820.2807.
Spring Program
Rose Park and South Side/Pine Ridge will alternate having a spring program every other year. This is an “off” year for our end of town. We look forward to having a South Side/Pine Ridge Program Spring of 2024.
Grandparents/Grandfriends Day
We are super excited to welcome grandparents back into our building for Grandparents/Grandfriends Day! They are invited to visit South Side K-2nd grade on Thursday, April 20 from 8:15-9:40am for a time of worship and classroom visits. Then Preschool 3’s T/TH class through Jr. Kindergarten will follow with worship and classroom time from 9:40-11:10am. Mrs. Grassmid’s M/W Preschool 3’s class will have their Grandparents/Grandfriends day on Wednesday, April 19 from 10:30-11:15am. We can’t wait to do some fun activities with our Grandparents, and to have them in our learning spaces!
PARKING: The left lane of our front drop-off loop will be reserved for handicap parking, and the right lane will remain as our student drop-off lane. Please plan accordingly for parking, as you might need to park on the neighboring roads and therefore could have to walk a bit to the main entrance.
Thursday, April 20:
Kindergarten-2nd Grade
8:15 – 8:30 Coffee
8:30 Move to gym
8:40 – 9:00 Kindergarten-2nd grade singing program
9:00 – 9:40 Classroom time
Preschool (T/TH 3s, 4s and Junior Kindergarten)
9:40 – 9:50 Move to gym
9:50 – 10:10 Preschool singing program
10:10 – 10:50 Classroom time
10:50 – 11:10 Playground time (optional for GP to join or leave)
Wednesday, April 19:
Mrs. Grassmid’s M/W 3s class ONLY
10:30-11:15 Classroom time/Worship in the classroom
Tulip Time
1st and 2nd grade families: Tulip Time will be here before we know it! If you did not fill out our Quick 3 Question Tulip Time Survey yet regarding what apparel your child will be wearing for the parade, you received an email from Mrs. Ritsema last week. Please respond ASAP, as we’re starting to get our props ready to go!
If you are choosing to be in the “Dutch Heritage” section, remember that you’ll need to wear a Dutch costume. The Tulip Time office is holding a Dutch Costume Resale on Wednesday, April 12 from 5-8pm at the Holland Civic Center You can find more information on this Tulip Time Costume Sale Flyer. If you chose the “Tulip” section for the parade, you will want to make sure that you have your Holland Christian Streams of Living Water t-shirt ready to go.
Wednesday, May 10 will be a full day for all students due to Tulip Time removing the Wednesday parade. On Thursday, May 11, school will be dismissed for kindergarteners at 11:30am. 1st and 2nd graders will remain at school, eat a sack lunch from home, have recess, change into their apparel (if they choose not to wear it to school that day), and be bused to the parade route. More information will come as we get closer to the parade.
Lost & Found
The office is continuing to update our South Side Lost and Found Photo Album as items come into the gray tub in the office. Please check it out to see if any of these items belong to your child. Feel free to email Jenna to claim your item(s), and she will be sure to get it in your child’s backpack.
Also, we have a pair of adult men’s sunglasses that have been turned into the office. Please stop in, email, or call the office 616.820.3535 to identify and pick them up.
Moms in Prayer
Moms In Prayer meets on Fridays 8:30-9:30am at Providence church. Come meet with other moms and pray over our students, teachers and staff. If you have any questions, please email Nicole Shook.
From the Parent Board
Balls for the Playground
South Side could use an update of some playground balls! The next time you run an errand, can you please consider donating a ball? We are looking for footballs, playground balls, kick balls, soccer balls, basketballs, etc. Anything is appreciated and you can drop them off in your school office.
May Staff Appreciation
We are looking to provide light snacks and refreshments for our staff during mid-May. On your next grocery trip would you consider adding an item to your cart? We are looking for:
- Diet Coke
- LaCroix (or other sparkling water)
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Granola Bars
- Small chocolates/candies
- Trail mix
The Parent Board will fill in with fresh produce after donations. These items can be dropped off to the school office for storage as well. Contact Emily Baker or Tami Schippers with any questions. Thanks for your help!
Join the Parent Board
We have a whole host of ways for parents to help out, plug into the school community, and join our team! South Side/Pine Ridge have their own Parent Team, a volunteer group of dedicated parents that support the teachers and staff, raise money beyond the budgetary allowances for extra educational materials and equipment, and enfold new families into our school family.
We’re looking for more new members and helping hands next year! If you are interested in getting more involved with school and building new relationships with the Holland Christian family in this way, please email Emily Baker or Tami Schippers.
Important Website Links
Calendar
April
- 1-9: No school: Spring break
- 10: School resumes
- 12: Dutch costume resale 5-9pm, Holland Civic Center
- 19: Mrs. Grassmid’s 3’s Monday/Wednesday class Grandparents/Grand friends Day
- 20: Grandparents/Grandfriends Day for all other classes
May
- 11: Tulip Time ½ Day; 11:30am dismissal for kindergarteners, 1st & 2nd graders stay at school for Kinderparade
- 15: Tuition Grant Fund Golf Outing
- 17: All School Convocation 9:00am
- 19: South Side Kindergarten Visit Day for incoming kindergarteners and their parents
- 25: Field Day
- 29: No School: Memorial Day
June
- 2: Last Day of School: ½ Day with 11:30am dismissal; Report cards available in PowerSchool
