God is good! God is faithful! Take a few moments to soak in the two beautiful images above. Don't they illustrate the story of God's goodness and love in our lives and in the lives of our children? God has walked alongside all of these graduates, big and small. He has molded and shaped these unique blessings with love and His light. He has seen them through tears and trials. He has unfurled each child in his or her own time. His work is not done, but each graduate is ready for a new chapter in this journey called life. That is certainly cause to pause and praise our Heavenly Father.
It strikes me that the word "commence", as celebrated in these commencement ceremonies, is defined as "to begin". We must not mourn an ending in these celebrations, an emotion I feel tug at me as both a mom and a teacher. It's difficult to transition and say good-bye. Commencement is God's new beginning just getting started. He has a perfect plan for each of these students whom we love. I thank God every day for laying the path for our children and providing loving, Christ-centered adults who work faithfully to follow His call and direction. Blessings to all of our students as God's commencement takes place. Blessings to you throughout this process as well.
We are excited to welcome Amanda Brouwer to the Administration Team at Holland Christian. Amanda will be giving leadership to our Early Childhood Programs as well as the Before/After School Care Programs at Holland Christian. In the next few weeks Amanda will be connecting with families on their intentions for the Fall so we can begin to plan for the next school year. If you have any questions before then please contact her abrouwer@hollandchristian.org or 616.820.4081 at any time.
To our Volunteers
Your example of how "Love Does" in "serving" others in our everyday schedule does NOT go unnoticed. The time you give is priceless. Whether you have volunteered to help in a classroom or an event we would like you to stop in the office for a small token of our appreciation for all you have done to help us this year. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!
Year Books
If you did not receive a a yearbook with your order and would still like to purchase one, the office has received an additional limited quantity. They are $10 each on a first come first serve basis.
Kindergarten Visiting Day
Letters of invitation will go home next week, but we are very eager to welcome our brand new class of kindergarteners for the 2015-2016 school year to South Side on Friday, May 29 at 9:00. Please mark your calendar if you're the parent of a newbie. We can't WAIT to meet, know and love our newest children!!
Library End-of-Year Dates
- Preschool/Y5: The week of April 27 is the last week for student checkout. All books are due by May 7.
- K-2nd: The week of May 11 is the last week for students to borrow books. All student materials are due by May 22.
- Summer check out: With parental permission, K-2 students may borrow up to 10 books for the summer. Summer check out will be May 19-29. More information and permission forms will go home the week of May 11.
Keep reading this summer!
Optional summer book check-out: with parental permission, students may borrow up to ten books for the summer. Students must bring a book bag with their name on it to transport the books. Summer books will be due on August 24, our first day of school next Fall. Summer book check-out will take place from May 18-May 29. See forms coming home Friday or print from the Elementary Media Center Webpage. http://www.hollandchristian.org/schools/elementary_media_center
Summer Reading Incentive: Catch the Reading Bug! Keep track of summer
reading minutes. Receive a prize when school begins in the Fall. See information
coming home today, or check the Elementary Media Center Webpage.http://www.hollandchristian.org/schools/elementary_media_centers
Field Day
Our annual Field Day fun is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2 in the afternoon.
Moving Up Day!
Our second graders will be visiting Pine Ridge on Wednesday, May 27 in the afternoon. This is an exciting time of year for our biggest kids on campus (however, they take 46 pieces of our hearts as they go!)
Important Lunch Announcement!
- Parents, please be mindful of your lunch accounts. As the year winds down we need to be responsible for our children's accounts. You may send a check or cash into the school office or go on to sendmoneytoschool.com to pay on your account. Please remember this is a prepay system... if you owe $20.00, and they may be eating till the end of the year . . . add more to cover their lunches in the future. It's important to keep our balances current, which helps keep the costs down of lunches. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your students this year....we enjoy providing lunch each day to our students. Should you have questions about your balances, please email: slambers@hollandchristian.org
- Lunch fees for 2015-2016 will change beginning in August. Please see the information below:
Elementary $2.40 Middle School $2.45
High School $2.65 Adult $3.50
Preschool Happenings
Preschool is done for the 2014-2015 school year. It has been a wonderful year of learning , growing, discovering new friends. Thank you for allowing us to have this time with your child. Blessings to you and your family over the summer months. We will gather again in the Fall.
HCHS offers summer camps for athletes of all ages!
Registration is open now at www.hollandchristian.org/athletics/summer_camps
Camps for baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball begin June 8, 2015.
SPARK news
We have the opportunity to partner with the Holland Rescue Mission and show how "Love Does" through the SPARK program by assisting them in collecting clothing. Please see the request below for details.
Dear South Side Elementary,
Spring is here and that means it’s the perfect time to switch out those winter clothes for warm weather attire! If you aren’t sure where to take that pile of clothes that no longer fit or you just don’t wear anymore, we have a solution for you! Holland Rescue Mission is in need of clothing donations. You can drop off these items in donation boxes located near the office Monday, June 1 through Thursday, June 4. Holland Rescue Mission will accept gently used clothing items of all ages. To find out more about giving and the Holland Rescue Mission go to www.Hollandrescue.org
Upcoming Events:
May 25- No school, Memorial Day (observed)
May 27- Movin' Up Day (2nd -to 3rd grade)
May 29 - Kindergarten Visitation Day (9:00-10:00)
June 2 - Field Day (afternoon @ SS)
June 3- 1st grade Field Trip
June 5- Final Chapel (10:45-11:15) All are welcome to join us
Last day - 11:30 Dismissal
Requested Announcements:
Summer Camp Time
• Holland Christian Summer Camps are lined up for the summer! Please click this link for basic information including dates and times for each camp. Registration is available now.
• Camp Roger is now accepting registrations for summer camp! Please visit camproger.org for more information.
• Hope Soccer Camp is also accepting registrations for their summer camps. Please visit www.hopesoccercamp.com for more information.
• G3 Camp at GrandValley will take place June 23-25. Please visit www.gvsu.edu/g3 to register for this fun Grandparent/Grandchild opportunity.
• Kids Rock - Click here to see flyer.
• Grace Adventures - Please visit www.GraceAdventures.org for more information.
• Camp Geneva is now accepting summer campers. Please visit www.campgeneva.org for more information.
• Son-Life Camp - Brochures are in the office. For more information, go to www.son-lifecamp.org.
