This winter, our 4s preschool classes have been taking turns visiting Resthaven on Monday mornings. During these special visits, students spend time with the “grandmas” and “grandpas,” building meaningful connections and community. Together, they sing songs, create crafts, and proudly share their growing skills—like counting and naming colors. When asked why they enjoy going to Resthaven, one preschooler simply said, “They don’t get many visitors, and they love people coming here!”
These visits are a beautiful example of our value of “Renewal” in action. Even at a young age, our students are learning to share God’s love, joy, and kindness with those around them. Whether it’s passing out blessing bags at Thanksgiving, offering a hug to a friend in need, collecting food for Hand2Hand, or caring for baby chicks, all of our South Side students are living out their faith in tangible ways.
We are so proud to see our students actively joining in Christ’s mission of renewal—partnering with Jesus to bring hope, love, and transformation to the world around them.
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!
- We also want to extend a big thank you to the volunteers who helped with the book fair for your time and dedication. Your hard work in setting up, assisting shoppers, and ensuring everything ran smoothly made a huge difference. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Tuition Grant Application
The Tuition Grant online application process for the 26-27 school year began February 1, and the Facts Application for tuition assistance 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.
Tulip Time
1st and 2nd grade families: Tulip Time will be here before we know it! Please fill out this Tulip Time Survey so we know which section your child will be participating in.
On Thursday, May 7, school will be dismissed for preschool starting at 11am. Young fives and kindergarteners will be dismissed 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.
Swimming Lessons
Holland Christian elementary students have the privilege of receiving swimming lessons each year through the Holland Aquatic Center. These lessons are provided during the school day for 2 weeks. First and second grade will be doing lessons on May 11-May 22. We recognize this program could be a little uncomfortable for children. However, because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan and surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need, but that we feel responsible to equip them with. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please take listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. This HCAC Swim School welcome video might help you understand a bit about the logistics. Please feel free to contact the South Side office with any questions.
Student Life and Discipleship
Recently, our elementary students all took a survey. They gave themselves 5 stars for knowing our South Side Stars rules and routines. They gave the teachers 5 stars for helping students when they make a wrong choice. They gave our school only 4 stars for kids choosing to be kind. So that is one thing we will be practicing–being kind! Maybe at the end of each school day this next month, instead of asking “What did you do today?” you could ask, “What did you do to be kind today?”
Lost & Found
The office is continuing to update our South Side Lost and Found 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 Rachel Steen to claim your item(s), and we will be sure to get it into your child’s backpack.
Important Website Links
Calendar
April
- April 3-10: No school: Spring break
- 13: School resumes
- 15: Eastertide
May
- 1: South Side Visit Day for incoming Young Fives and Kindergarten students
- 7: Tulip Time ½ Day; 11am dismissal for preschool, 11:30am dismissal for young fives and kindergarteners, 1st & 2nd graders stay at school for Kinderparade
- 25: No school: Memorial Day
- 29: Field Day
June
- 3: Last day of school: ½ day with 11:30am dismissal