MAP Testing

During the weeks of January 6 and 13 we will be taking our second MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress) testing in both Reading and Math. If your child will not be in class during this time frame please let me know so we can make sure we get them tested while they are at school. 

Semester One and Report Cards

Friday - January 17, 2025 will be the end of our first semester in Kindergarten. Your student has been working so hard and learning so many new things.
Report cards will be available through Power School starting Friday, January 17 at 3:00 PM. This will highlight the areas we have been working on and will give you an idea of where they are at. If you have questions or need clarification after reviewing the report card please feel free to reach out to me.

Second semester we are going to continue to do a lot of learning and growing. Expectations will be getting a little higher, as we are preparing for first grade. I will continue to send home weekly progress reports with skills we are working on as well as sending daily homework that you can do with your student to help reinforce concepts we are learning in the classroom. 

NO SCHOOL

NO SCHOOL

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 20, 2025

January Bible Memory

 

Fun with Phonics /t/

We will be only focusing on the /t/ sound. 

HEART WORDS

These are also known as "sight words".  These words do not follow the rules and we put them in our hearts to help remember them when we read and write them.

 

Fun With Phonics - /c/

We will be only focusing on the /c/ sound. 

HEART WORDS

These are also known as "sight words".  These words do not follow the rules and we put them in our hearts to help remember them when we read and write them.

 

Snow Gear

With the weather changing it will not be long until there is snow on the ground, I wanted to let you know that your kindergartener will be going outside during every recess. Please make sure your child comes with all their snow gear every day there is snow on the ground. I also ask that you label the inside of all this items as many of our friends have the exact same pair and it will help me get them to the correct person if they get mixed up. This includes:

Warm Coat
Snow Pants
Boots
Hat
Mittens

I will have the kids leave their snow pants at school every day and then will send them home again on Friday. If you would like your child to take their snow pants home every day please reach out to me and I will make sure they get home.

PLEASE make sure to bring another pair of shoes for wearing inside school. I will have students leave these in their locker as well. Again, like the snow pants, if you need them sent home everyday please let me know. 

School Closings and Delays

Winter will be arriving in West Michigan before we know it and with this comes snow - lots of snow!!

With this snow comes School Closings and School Delays. Here are some details to help prepare you and your family for this:

If Holland Christian Schools has a TWO (2) hour delay school will start at 10:15 AM.
If Holland Christian Schools is closed due to weather there is NO SCHOOL for that given day. Delays and Closings will be communicated through the email and phone numbers in your child's PowerSchool account.  They will also be posted on major TV networks (Wood TV 8 - WZZM - FOX17),  as well as social media (Facebook and Instagram)

Please remember to use your best judgement when it comes to traveling in the snow as conditions change through out the day and different areas in Holland can also have different weather. If there is school but you feel that it is in your best interest to stay home please feel free to stay home.  Contact the office to let us know not to plan on you that day. 

Christmas Party

WHEN: Thursday - December 19

DETAILS:
This will be a normal school day.

Each student needs to bring in a $5.00 wrapped gift for a gift exchange. Girls will bring in a gift for a girl and a boy for a boy. Please do not address this gift to a specific student. Students may bring in this gift in at anytime and put it under our Christmas Tree.

If there is a snow day - our party will be rescheduled for the next day we are back to school. 

Glass Vases Needed

Please bring to school the week of NOVEMBER 28.

For part of our Christmas Project that Kindergarteners will be doing this year, I will need your student to bring in one empty glass vase. The vase should have a medium to wide opening on the top as well as be at least a medium height.  

 

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving Break

NO SCHOOL

November 27-29

Kindergarten Cookie Sale

Kindergarten Cookie Sale

Thursday, December 5

In your child's green folder on Friday was information on our cookie sale.  We would love to have your help to make this event a success.  If you are able to help  please fill out the form that was in your child's folder and return the form ASAP.  

Looking forward to walking beside Manos de Jesùs.

Fun With Phonics - letter /g/

 

We will be only focusing on the short /a/ sound. 

HEART WORDS

These are also known as "sight words".  These words do not follow the rules and we put them in our hearts to help remember them when we read and write them.

Indoor Gym Shoes

 

With the weather changing and it being wet outside - would you be willing to send an extra pair of gym shoes to keep in your child's locker?  

Please put your child's name inside the shoe - in the case it gets misplaced.

Children's Advocacy Center

As part of our mission to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ, HC works to provide students with the knowledge and skills to guard themselves in this fallen world. Part of HC’s commitment to student safety is providing counsel and resources for sexual abuse prevention and intervention from the Children’s Advocacy Center. Please see the informed consent letter for more information. 

If you have any questions about the content of the presentation, we encourage you to reach out to the Children’s Advocacy Center. If you would like your child to not participate in the presentation, please fill out this form at least one week prior to the presentation date. HC will anticipate participation unless they receive a submitted opt-out form.

Our class presentation will happen on December 6 @ 9:00 AM.

 

God's Masterpiece

Starting the week of November 4, we will begin our celebration of one of God’s Masterpieces each week.  Click on the tab at the top of the blog to see the schedule.

Here is what our celebration will look like:

• Be my line leader and teacher assistant all week.
• On the Monday they will get to take Olivia the Owl home and return her on Friday. They will get to write and illustrate their adventures to share with their friends.
• Have special activities through out the week:
• Monday: They will share their All About Me Poster!
• Tuesday: they can bring in their favorite snack to share with their friends during the last recess.
• Wednesday: Mystery Bag - they can put ONE treasure inside the bag and they will give three clues to what is inside and see if the rest of us can guess what it is.
• Thursday: They will get to pick a special REWARD for the day!!
• Friday: Adventures with Olivia - they will share their adventures they had with Olivia through out the week.

During the week your kindergartener can pick a person to come and read to our class as well as come and have lunch with them one day. Please email Mrs. Brouwer to set that day and time up. 

Sing - Move - Memorize

During the week of November 4,  K-5 students will meeting in the small gym for a brief time of learning scripture together. Mrs. Winningham (5th Grade Teacher) will be leading us with our monthly Bible passage using a variety of tools to help those words stick in our hearts.

Here is more information about this time from Mrs. Winningham:

Rose Park has an initiative to help kindergarteners-5th graders hide God’s Word in their hearts for a lifetime. For one week out of each month student will start in the small gym with a 7 minute integrated arts activity designed to help us memorize a Bible passage. We’ll color, dance, sing, learn sign language, and play some instruments. You are welcome to join us from 8:25-8:32am each morning!

Fun With Phonics - Letter /a/

 

We will be only focusing on the short /a/ sound. 

HEART WORDS

These are also known as "sight words".  These words do not follow the rules and we put them in our hearts to help remember them when we read and write them.

Fun With Phonics - Letter /o/

 

We will be only focusing on the short /o/ sound.  

HEART WORDS

These are also known as "sight words".  These words do not follow the rules and we put them in our hearts to help remember them when we read and write them.

Parent University

Holland Christian Schools will be facilitating an event called Parent University: a conversation around Jonathan Haidt's Book: The Anxious Generation

• Aim: How, collectively, parents can make choices to counter the smartphone culture and guard their hearts.

• Focus: We will discuss the harmful effects technology has on our children. We will dive into data that demonstrates the psychological damage that can occur to a child immersed in a phone-based childhood. Join us in these conversations and walk away with a clear call-to-action that will make a difference not only in your child's life but their time here at Holland Christian Schools. Please RSVP at this link

New Weekly Homework

Number Parade and Writing Practice Activity

At home Book Bag Reading

Your student will have their own book bags with their books in them.  I will be sending these home on Fridays.  Please make sure the bag and books are returned to school by Thursday so I can add new books to them.

Letter Name/Sound Fluency

Once your kindergartener has mastered all the letter name and sounds I will be adding this activity to their Green Folder every week.  These will be assessed on Fridays and added to the weekly progress report.  I do not need this paper returned to school - this is at home practice!

 

Book Bags

Every Friday your child will be bringing home books in their book bags.  These books are at their reading level and will change as they grow as readers.

I ask that you work alongside your child with these books daily. I would like all the books and the bag to be returned to school by Friday so I can send home new books.

Here is what you can do with the books:

• I READ - YOU READ: this is where you read a sentence and then they read it back to you. Please make sure you encourage them to point to the words as they read them - this helps them with tracking and connecting the word to print.
• Once they have mastered the reading have them read it out loud to you or another family member.
• Even if they have mastered it - I would like them to continue reading it through the week. This will help solidify sight words and other vocabulary to their memory.
• Ask questions about what they read. When we are looking at reading levels it is important to know the words you are reading BUT it is also important to be able to comprehend or connect with what you just read. So, asking follow up questions is a great way to practice remembering the text and connecting it.

NO SCHOOL - CEA Convention

October 23 - 25, 2024

Due to the CEA (Christian Education Association) Convention for staff, there will be no school on these dates.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Conferences will be held on October 17 and 21 this year.

Scheduling conferences will be done through Virtual Paragon, which HC has used in the past. Links to the online conference will be provided once you have chosen your conference times for each of your children. If none of the times work for your schedule please reach out to me and we will try to work something out. The Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule is:

Elementary: K-5th
Thursday, October 17 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm
Monday, October 21 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Making PT Conference Reservations:
Go to HC Virtual Paragon - our conference reservation system.
“Holland Christian’s Master Password” is gohc (all lowercase).
Login with an account you created previously or create an account by clicking the “Create New User Name” button.
Once logged in select "Making reservations."
Select all of the teachers with whom you want conferences, by clicking the box next to each teacher's name. Be sure you have the correct teacher in the correct building since many of our teachers work in more than one building.
Scroll to the bottom to click “Continue.”
Reserve the times you want by clicking the box in the available time slots. The number of time slots you sign up for vary by grade level.Elementary; K-5th grade – 15 minute reservations with teacher.
Press “SAVE/DONE” button when you are finished making all of your reservations.
In the next window associate each reservation with a specific student by clicking “Edit.”

You have now reserved your conferences! If you have difficulty, you can email vp_support@hollandchristian.org or you can call your school's office for assistance.

Field Trip

Field Trip - Holland Farmers Market

Wednesday, October 9

Time: 8:45 - 10 AM

I am looking for 5 Guest Helpers to join us this morning.  If you are able to help with a small group explore their senses around the farmers market please email me and let me know.  

Picture Retakes

Photo retakes are October 21 - if your child will need retakes or have their picture taken add that date to your calendar.

* If you are doing retakes, please return the original photo package to school with your child on that day *

End of Quarter 1

We have finished Quarter ONE and 1st - 5th Grade students will be receiving a report card that can be viewed on Power School. In Kindergarten we complete report cards at the end of Semester 1 and at the end of the year.

Your child's weekly progress report gives you an idea of where they are academically and we will talking during Parent Teacher Conferences on this as well as their social emotional development up to this point.

Letter Sounds

This video will help you as you work on letter sounds with your Kindergartener.  Don't forget to keep practicing these even if they have mastered them all.

Small Toys Needed!

Do you have small Happy Meal or Birthday Bag toys that you no longer need or want to keep?

If you said "YES" - I would love to recycle them for you.

Every Friday our class gets to trade in their pompoms for rewards. PomPom's are earned when SER behavior is shown in the classroom and they are bucket fillers. I would love to add these treasures to our store!

You can bring them to school at any time.
Thank You in advance for your support!

Cold and Flu Season

Cold and Flu Season is here!

Here are some helpful reminders for you to help keep your Kindergartener and other friends healthy:

* Your Kindergartener needs to be FEVER free for at least 24 hrs. before they return to school and show no additional symptoms of COVID or the Flu.
* If your Kindergartener is running a FEVER - please keep them home.
* If your Kindergartener is having any of the following symptoms please keep them home and contact your doctor:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever (over 100.3)
Extreme fatigue and chills
Loss of taste and/or smell

* Your Kindergartener needs to be free of these symptoms for at least 24 hrs.
* My rule of thumb is, you know your child the best - if you feel that they are off, please keep them home.

If your Kindergartener will not be at school please call or email the office (820.4055) (rp@hollandchristian.org).

Outdoor Learning

 

Grandparents Day!

 

Weekly Progress Reports

 

You should have received an email from me with your family number.  This will be used to help identify your student on the Progress Report.  This video will give you a little more information on the weekly progress reports.  

As always - reach out with any questions or wonders.

Maroon and White Day - Friday!!

 

Sign Up for the Family Fall Festival

 

MAP Testing

The week of September 3 and 9 we will be taking our first MAP (measurement of academic progress) testing in both Reading and Math. 

This is a standard test that is used as one of the many tools that help us measure your kindergarteners growth.  We will be doing this assessment again in the Winter and then again in the Spring.  

You will receive your child's summary of all three tests at the end of the school year.

Walk A Thon

WHEN: September 25
WHERE: Holland Christian Track (located at the Middle School)
TIME: 1-2 PM

We are excited to participate in Holland Christian's Annual Walk A Thon event. This is a great opportunity for our PreK-5th grade students to get outside to walk, run, skip, or hop around for 45 minutes to raise funds for our classrooms and/or building.

Walk-A-Thon envelopes will come home in your children's folder this week. Please make sure that you return the envelope with your raised funds in your child's folder.

Walk-A-Thon is our only elementary fundraiser for the school year.

We are able to fund our Rose Park Ranch, Playscape, and other initiatives throughout the year for our children thanks to the funds raised through this event!

Your student will be receiving a T-Shirt for this event.  PLEASE keep this shirt somewhere safe as we will be wearing them again for the Spring Program.

Library Starts This Week

Every Thursday afternoon our class will be visiting the school library to borrow TWO books to bring home and share with family. You are welcomed to keep the books for the week or if you would like to bring them back on the next school day you may.

When your kindergartener returns their book to school - they will need to take them out of their backpack and put them in the crate outside our classroom door.

If your child forgets to turn in their books, they will need to wait to check out any new books until all the previous books are returned.

Morning Drop Off

 

Fall Family Festival

 

Moms In Prayer

 

Parent Meeting 24-25

Thank you to all of you who were able to make it to the Parent Meeting Thursday Night.  If you were unable to attend here is a virtual copy of what we went over at the meeting.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need clarification on anything that was covered.

 

Holland Christian Convocation

Wednesday - August 28 @ 9 AM

Holland Christian High School

Football Field

We will be taking a bus over to the High School to join all of Holland Christian Schools grades PreK-12th for a time of worship and celebration for a new school year.

Families, you are welcome to meet us at the High School for this time of worship if you are interested.

Kindergarten Boot Camp

We have been practicing and will continue to practice over the next week using a variety of tools that will be helping us this year in Kindergarten. 

On Thursday, September 5 we will be having a fun "Bootcamp" day in which we will practice all these skills through out the entire day. 

Your kindergartener is welcome to wear "camo" or green on that day to add to the excitement of the adventure.