Can I take a few minutes to share with you some of the amazing gems I saw this week? How about Tammy and Eva proudly darting about their busy 3s room as their young learners were happily molding playdough, stacking stackable objects together and jabbering away (incoherently, imho, to one another). Both Tammy and Eva were smiling and complimenting these tiny ones who were settling in quickly to their new loving learning environment. Jamie and Lisa eagerly welcomed two squealing piglets into their classroom to the delight of their Junior Kinders. Oh the screams. I now understand what it means to squeal like a stuck pig. Jamie and Lisa took as much joy and delight as their children did. Those students are going to be treated to an amazing year of learning and fun in JK this year. Karen S. celebrated and offered a SMILING star (that's no average star, mind you) to her children acknowledging the morning work they had completed as teams! This was no quiet, easy-to-manage worksheet. Children were collaborating with constructions first thing in the morning, making a bear city, a tall tower...all the while DJ was helping to make sure her little one's heart is ready for the adventures that lie before him that day. Across the hall, Sandy and Michelle are working together to lovingly transition one of their little ones each day from home to school. With love, support and patience, he has made GREAT progress already. Tears of gratitude have been seen multiple times in his Mama's eyes. Sarah has several students who cried the first few days of school. But they are snuggling into the routine, structure and love Sarah provides. As you can imagine, her quick smile and verbal reassurances melt the tension these little ones feel. They, too, are finding home in her classroom. Kim so beautifully weaves together our staff with her friendship, genuine care and LOVE for others. How proud our new second grade servers are to work alongside her in serving lunch. It's so good to hear her greetings and servant heart in our kitchen again. And, Paige, our we are treated to your smiles again on Wednesday. I'm so grateful you are able and willing to serve God in this role! Did you know that Gerrit has gone outside this week for extra recess times? Do you wanna know why? He loves to play with our kids and wants to get to know them! He's playing ball tag, soccer and catch! The energy and enthusiasm he brings to the gym space bubbles over to the playground! Diane and Helena lead their students in creating AMAZING butterflies that now adorn our front entryway. Such a beautiful carry over to the first grade science unit! Mary has been busily loading student accounts into the system. We are forever grateful for her servant heart and desire to serve ALL of our students and teachers. Did you know? After Karen VM reads a story to her class in library, she invites them to use legos to construct a scene or character from the book she just read! Excellent creativity opportunity for her little learners. DeeDee and Anita are getting together their schedules and beginning to listen to and grow our little ones who need their care! Watch the classroom and hallway behavior of our kindergarteners sometime. Want to know why they already display excellent school sense already? This is due in large part to the excellent preparation our students were taught by Jamie, Leanne, Konni, Dawn and Tammy! With the help of Lisa, Tina, Rachel, Stephanie and Eva, our little ones are already being taught HOW to do school. I saw Leanne and Tina teaching children sitting on their benches HOW to laugh and be silly, as well as how not to so the community can be both silly and responsible. Konni has been putting in many extra hours with her own two sweet little ones busily playing in her space! She and Rachel have been thinking outside of the box and considering how, even in preschool, we can continue to grow in our inclusivity of all families. Dawn and Stephanie are teaching, all the while reassuring their students, that God creates everyone of us differently with unique skills and challenges. What a beautiful, welcoming environment for all of their little learners. Working tirelessly in that classroom space with a little one and later as tech teacher is Lindsay. I can't begin to express enough gratitude for her persistence, patience, grace and love for her one-on-one student, followed by a curriculum-less tech class in the afternoon. Haven't you been so impressed with all that the students are learning and becoming reacquainted with this year already? I'm always so excited to see what her students are producing. And what a riot! Shelly was tooting her slide whistle at her kindergarteners as they moved to the sliding sounds. So cute. Students having FUN with tone and introduction to music. Jenna is bringing Cultivating Shalom to life with her students by sharing pictures and stories of how God spoke to her in Israel. As she draws her students into her personal life and spiritual life, they see and know a little more of our great God. Elaine has been busting over with creativity in her classroom. Students pray for one another, they identify positive traits in each other and pull new meaning from Bible verses that may otherwise be glossed over due to familiarity. Did you know that Michelle is going to implement compliment teaching in her classroom? Ask her about it. It's an AWESOME idea! One we could all use (next year's PD, Michelle? ;) ) Rachel has been so busy! She is a gentle, loving and consistent presence for our little first graders who need an extra set of hands. She has endured some physical expressions of frustrations from students already. Yet, God is granting her peace and hope that these little ones in her care will find comfort and peace in their school days too. Lia, in the meantime, has been EVERYWHERE. Contacting parents, connecting with the ISD, setting up appointments to visit former schools of students on her caseload, listening to concerns of parents and teachers all the while supporting her crew. Hmm...no wonder you klunked out, Lia. Tami has been transitioning to her new role as reading support teacher. She's been busy learning and preparing. If you have a minute, take a peek in the old kitchen-turned-reading-support room. It's BEAUTIFUL and homey! I can't wait to see our little ones coming and going and growing in there next week! Karen VM has created a welcoming, loving home for students, particularly one of her littles ones who desperately needs consistency, peace and JOY in his life. What better home away from home for this little hurting child than in Karen's care every day. Surely God's hand is in this placement. Amanda has embraced her new five day schedule along with transitioning to 24 first graders. Her students are learning to do school and one has very little schooling experience and has a great deal of learning to do. Amanda's patience rivals Job's right now. I pray that these little ones will also soon settling in and find comfort in the consistency Amanda so effectively brings to her students. They, too, are finding love in this learning environment. Pat just keeps our South Side heart beating. She's already doling out ice packs, yanking teeth, providing nervous parents with wisdom and reassurances...her list is endless. Always with a smile. She sometimes ends the day with a "let's do this again tomorrow." What a blessing to have Pat at our side. Thea, how are you not dizzy with code, passwords, email addresses and panicky questions?!? Did you know that Thea gave up her evening this year during the ice cream social to help assist new parents connect to their child's powerschool account? What a servant heart you have, Thea. And how about Darlene and Bill! Aren't they the best? Washing windows, cleaning sinks, vacuuming baseboards. An elementary school should never be subjected to a white glove test...but I think South Side would stand up to the test! Raphie and Enrique are a WONDERFUL addition to our evening team as well.
I've only scratched a tiny fraction of the surface of all that you do. You bless me EVERY day as I get to see you offering your gifts to God by loving your young ones. I know it's been tiring. Your students will shed their hippie ways. They're adjusting to this new structure as well. I see smiles, enthusiasm, friendships and JOY in our hallways. God is on display at South Side!
Monday
There's no school Monday. Have we mentioned that? Rest. Relax. Have a summery blast. Come back on Tuesday ;)
Delta Math
We start on Tuesday and the window closes on Friday. Please let Thea or me know if you need assistance.
Car Decals
There are new decals for your car windows available. Pat has them! Pick one up in the office if you'd like one on your car window.
Convocation
Will be Wednesday morning. Departure and return details will be availabe on Tuesday. The convocation takes place from 9:00-9:30. Plan on around 20 minutes before and after for travel. We'll provide specifics on Tuesday.
Walk-a-thon
Busses pick up 12:15. We typically return toward the close of the day with a few minutes to just hang out together on the playground before dismissal.
NWEA/MAP Test
Training and set up will take place at Rose Park on Wednesday, September NWEA/MAP
SCHOOL PICTURES
Wednesday, September 13
- Mrs. Grassmid’s Monday/Wednesday class
- Mrs. Lubbers Class
- Mrs. Baker’s Class
- Mrs. VanRees’s Class
- Mrs. Lanser’s Class
Thursday, September 14
- Mrs. Grassmid’s Tuesday/Thursday class
- Mrs. Strikwerda’s Class
- Mrs. Becksfort
- Mrs. Johnson’s Class
- Mrs. VanMeeteren’s Class
- Mrs. Bohle’s Class
- Mrs. Hunderman/Dreyer’s Class
- Mrs. Ritsema’s Class
From our Elementary blog:
KIDS’ STUFF RE-SALE AT HCHS
Come Shop Our Kids’ Stuff Re-Sale at HCHS on Saturday, Sept 9 from 9:00 – 12:00. Lots of great fall/winter clothes for girls and boys and so much more. If you are interested in being a seller at this sale, please contact kidsale@ hollandchristian.org.
PROTECT YOUNG EYES AT HC MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 – SAVE THE DATE!
We are excited to welcome Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes (www.protectyoungeyes.com) to Holland Christian on Monday, September 25. Protect Young Eyes exists to give busy parents and hyper-connected kids the information and tools they need to use technology awesomely. Chris McKenna founded Protect Young Eyes in response to the growing demand from parents at his church for information to help them navigate our digital culture. Chris will be speaking with 5th-8th graders during the day on the 25th. Please follow this link if you would like to see an outline of the topics Chris will be covering with each grade.
We are also inviting the entire Holland Christian Community to meet with Chris as well. He will be speaking to parents on September 25 from 7-8:30 pm in the High School Auditorium.
We hope to see you here! One of the greatest needs we hear from parents is help with how to use the Internet and technology with their kids. We look forward to partnering with you in this ongoing conversation. Our goal is that you walk away from these presentations equipped and encouraged.
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