One of the well-loved spaces in our old South Side building was the Shalom Room, and we are thrilled to have a Shalom Room here at Longfellow, too!
But what exactly is a Shalom Room? It’s a place where a staff member can bring a student or small group of students who need a little extra space to focus on work, get their wiggles out, or work through some big emotions. It’s a space to pause, reset, and find a little peace in the middle of a busy school day.
The word shalom is a beautiful biblical word often translated as “peace.” Throughout Scripture, we see God bringing peace, restoration, and wholeness into moments of chaos, worry, and uncertainty. Our Shalom Room is one small way we help students experience and practice that peace in their own lives.
One of Holland Christian’s discipleship practices is Kingdom Bringing. We want our students to see that they can participate in bringing God’s kingdom to earth in both big and small ways. In the Shalom Room, we model what it looks like to seek God’s peace and share that peace with others. And, as you’ll read below, our food drive with Community Action House offers another wonderful opportunity for students to bring a little piece of God’s kingdom to our community by caring for our neighbors.
Whether it’s finding calm in a difficult moment or sharing generously with someone in need, we love helping our South Siders grow in Kingdom Bringing.
Christy Haig
Principal
Announcements
Thank You!
A sincere thank you to the Parent Partners, Maranatha Church and many of you, for bringing in delicious food to refuel teachers during parent-teacher conferences. The meals were greatly enjoyed and appreciated!
Also, thank you for taking the time to come out and meet with your child(ren)’s teacher(s). These conversations are so valuable as we partner together to continue our mission of equipping minds and nurturing hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ.
Welcome Walk
At Holland Christian, we believe that choosing a school is about more than academics, it is about finding a community where children are known, loved, and encouraged to grow in faith, wonder, and learning. The Welcome Walk is designed to give families an authentic glimpse into the heart of our school.
Through this interactive experience, families are invited to explore classrooms alongside their children, meet the teachers who will guide and nurture them, and experience the culture that shapes daily life within our school community. As families move through the building/playscape, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with staff, they gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to Christ-centered learning, meaningful relationships, and joyful discovery.
Time: 2:15 – 3:00pm
- Monday, November 9 – Forest School: Cedar Creek
- Thursday, November 12 – Forest School: Cabins
- Monday, November 16 – Rose Park
- Thursday, November 19 – South Side
Open to ALL families at ALL of our campuses to explore any campus you’re curious about. Parents and children walk the campus open house style and meet with teachers to help guide decision making for enrollment next year. Please RSVP for the event of your choosing here.
From Parent Partners
- November is our MONTH OF THANKS! Keep your eye out for an email with more details from the South Side/Pine Ridge office and consider blessing our teachers and staff! Remember, cards and small tokens of appreciation go a long way. Thank you for your support of those who care for our kiddos!
- Thank you for signing up to bring meals for conferences. Stay tuned for more opportunities to volunteer coming up in the coming months!
- Mark your calendars for the Book Fair coming to Pine Ridge December 4-11.
Student Life and Discipleship
We all have moments when we don’t quite meet expectations, and our South Side students are no exception! When a student struggles to follow our South Side Star expectations, the response depends on the situation. Sometimes, a teacher simply needs to pause and have a conversation, reteach an expectation, or give a student a chance to practice it a few more times. Other times, a situation calls for a little more follow-up in the office.
When students visit the office, one of the tools we often use is a Think Sheet. My favorite part of this sheet is the reminder to “Think About Others,” one of our important South Side Star expectations. Students are invited to consider questions like: How did my actions affect someone else? How might that person be feeling? What can I do to make things right?
These are BIG questions for our little learners! At this age, children are just beginning to look beyond their own experiences and recognize how their words and actions affect the people around them. Learning to show empathy, take responsibility, and repair relationships takes time and practice.
We love that even our challenging moments can become opportunities for growth. As we guide our South Side Stars through these conversations, we’re helping them learn not only how to make better choices, but also how to love their neighbors well and reflect the heart of Jesus in the way they treat others.
Bringing God’s Kingdom Through Generosity
We are excited to partner with Community Action House again this year for a food drive to support our neighbors in need during the holiday season. From November 30 to December 14, we will be collecting the most needed food items and cooking oil at our school to help restock the shelves of their pantry. We appreciate your generosity and support in making this community outreach a success.
We’d love for you to make this a family activity, too! There are so many simple, meaningful ways to involve your children and help them see what it looks like to bring God’s kingdom to our community. Invite them to pick out a few of their favorite foods at the grocery store to share with others. Let them help fill a box from your pantry at home and talk together about how some families don’t always have enough food in their cupboards. You could even pray over your bag of donations in the car, asking God to use the food to bless a family, and let your child proudly carry it into school.
These little moments help our children grow hearts of compassion and generosity. We want them to see that loving our neighbors isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we get to do!
Heaven and Nature Sing
Walk together through the Luke 2 Christmas story, experience a live nativity and join in for Christmas caroling. An RSVP is requested by November 30 so we can prepare a smooth and joy-filled experience for your family.
Lost and 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 the secretary, Rachel, to claim your item(s), and we will be sure to get it in your child’s backpack.
Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school Wednesday, November 25-Friday, November 27 so families can celebrate Thanksgiving. Enjoy this special time together as a family celebrating our great God, and the many blessings in our lives.
Illness Reminders
Please remember that we do have a 24-hour policy for any fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. For colds and coughs, please use your discretion as we know these things can linger.
Community Opportunities
*Check out some community opportunities These organizations are not affiliated with Holland Christian Schools but have requested the sharing of these community opportunities.
Important Website Links
- School Calendar
- School Supply Lists
- Lunch Menu
- Medical Information & Forms
- School Transportation
- Before & After School Programs
Upcoming Dates
November:
- 30: Community Action House Food Drive begins
- 25-27: No school: Thanksgiving break
December:
- 14: Community Action House Food Drive ends
- 21-January 1: No school: Christmas break
January:
- 4: School resumes
