September Beauty

Thank you for submitting your seating chart to our google doc. Let's pray we do not have to face contact tracing, but this seating chart will be critical to decreasing the number of students sent home for quarantine. 

Collaboration Days 

Are coming! Take a peek at your day and the agenda at the bottom! We're going to have fun learning and playing with STEM resources! 

Aesop

Please log into https://adminweb.aesoponline.com/access to be sure that you are able to access the site in case you have a sudden need. If you have trouble accessing the login, please contact Rachel Hendershot. She'll help assist you or work on the behind the scenes issues.  

Grade Level Meeting Documentation for SCECHs

If you are planning to attend a conference and would like to receive SCECHs for your learning, please see this doc. We need to submit the agenda for the conference to Erin 40 days prior to the conference for approval of SCECH credit. 

Staff Meeting

Our next staff meeting will be a workshop around Google Classroom (3rd-5th) and SeeSaw (preschool-2nd) norms in case of phase 3 learning. This will take place on Oct. 7 from 3:30-4:15. 

Please copy and paste in your teacher blog:

Holland Christian Schools is seeking people who want to build up and encourage young people and families through providing regular school bus transportation for students. Hours are flexible. We are seeking applicants who demonstrate a love for kids, careful, conscientious driving habits, and an interest in providing a needed service to the families of Holland Christian. No previous school bus driving experience necessary. Holland Christian will provide the training necessary. If interested please contact Dan Vos at 616-820-2805 or dvos@hollandchristian.org.

This, That and the Next Thing

Chapel

Friday, September 25 at 9:30? That's where we landed? See you there! I can't wait! Angie, thanks for taking this first one on! Please let me know how I can help or what needs you may have. Ron? Looks like you're next :) 

Kamp David

Is now open for our outdoor learning adventures! Fill out the bus request, please, at least 48 hours in advance so we can find you a driver and ENJOY! Thank you, Mrs. Nykamp! 

Conferences

Will be virtual this year. The times and dates will be the same but we'll hold them virtually. 

Report Cards

Will go home on October 16 first through fifth grade.

Tornado Drill 

OOPH! Tornado Drill Locations! Please print this location to keep handy for a sub file if you are absent and the class needs to seek safe shelter. Looks like we're keeping it classy in the bathrooms and locker rooms for our people! Safe and stinky 😅 I will get the drill dates from Christa ASAP. Nothing on the horizon for next week. 

Walk A Thon

We're celebrating next week! If you're going off campus please remember to reserve your bus 48 hours prior to your trip. This scheduling is being handled through admin. No longer through our office at Rose Park. 

ODC Logo for your blog if you'd like:

Short Week

Isn't it funny how you can't feel that it's been a short week by the time you get to Thursday? 😅😂 I pray you had a rest-filled, sunshiney, wonderful long weekend! I'm looking forward to establishing our intervention groups, smoothing out of drop off routines and chugging into the year successfully developing REAL relationships with our kids and families! Check out our tiny horse experience! 

Mud! Glorious Mud! 

Help From Herrick

Librarians are our friends! Check out what they're offering to support your classroom endeavors this year! 

School Pictures

Pictures are taking on Wednesday and Thursday in the media center. Carla sent the updated schedule in an email. 

Walk a thon Packets

...need to be turned in by the 14th. If you are planning an offsite location for your walk a thon, be sure to submit a bus request. 

P/T Conferences

More details will be forthcoming, our P/T conferences will be done via Zoom and scheduled via Virtual Paragon just like always. 

Delta Math Screener (1st grade through 5th grade)

Double check in Inqwizit that your roster is correct. If you need to make edits to your list, please contact Dan Vos. The assessment we're administering with the students is the "readiness" test. This testing window will take place the week of September 14. 

Delta Math Instructions found here if you'd like a refresher. 

Chapel Schedule

Here it is! 

Margins

Have you ever trained for an athletic event? If you’ve participated in a training program of any sort you’re likely familiar with the concept that resting your muscles is just as important as straining and training your muscles. During the rest day muscles reform and rebuild stronger and more efficiently than they were performing prior to the rest period. Once rested and rebuilt, muscles are ready to push into the workload required and will perform with even more strength and condition.

I was out for a jog (slowly) this weekend and thought with appreciation about how God designed us for rhythms in life. There are times we encounter challenges in life. Times such as these can bring with them anxiety and stress. But we also find ourselves coming together as a community in these times, offering creativity, solutions, hard work and faith. Together we rise to the challenge and serve God in new and strong ways. Sometimes performing in ways we didn’t know we had in us! We lean on our community and find ourselves woven together even more tightly than perhaps we might have been had we not encountered the challenge.

But then there’s the needed rest. A time for rejuvenation and restoration. A time for our heart and faith to rebuild and deepen. A time to rest in our Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. A wise mentor of mine, Mr. Bruce Hekman, calls these important periods of life “margins”. Margins are critical to successful living and servanthood as we work to advance God’s mission here on earth. Sometimes margins come with the rhythm of the work week other times we have to intentionally carve them out.

The next two weeks at school are a bit shorter. We have Friday and Monday with no school. On Labor Day we celebrate and thank so many who labor to bring us safe and enriching communities. We have a long way to go with the work that lies before us, but the upcoming margin from the work is good. Your children and you deserve a rest from the work. Anticipating this school year has been like none other. There have been many good questions, anxieties and adjustments. This has been a challenging time. The best answer to all of the wonderings has been to launch this school year and behold our children smiling, growing, fostering friendships, beginning to bond with their teacher and worshipping our good, good Father together.

I pray during this extended weekend you will be able to come away and rest awhile with your family. Taste together the goodness of our Father. Allow your spirit to be strengthened in the rest. Allow God to rebuild the muscles of your faith. May God bless you with peace and health in these important margins of life.

Fire Drill 

On September 10 at 8:40. I'll be there and will run this with Rob's help :) K just walks to the K area. 1st grade walks to the 1st grade area. 2nd grade....wanna walk to the stump circle area? 

Goats

Would you like me to contact the goat lady? Would you prefer to leave well enough alone? I happy to help but also happy to let this one pass if we have enough life going on in class right now! 

MAP dates

September 8-25 is our testing window. Please don't hesitate to reach out to Thea or me for support or trouble shooting (I actually have no qualifications to be on that short list for help but I can FIND you some help or step in and sub while you run for the hills!) 

Data Sheets 

Are updated for the new year in the google drive for running record scores. We'll refer to these scores for our data meetings to ensure our readers are tracking along. 

Seating Chart

From Megan at admin: I will need you to collect all seating charts from your teachers in each of their classes. Again, I know this is a big ask, but if/when the time comes, it will make contact tracing significantly easier. I have created a folder in Google Drive for each building to upload these files: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zqRRa9t0lHTxJyIAB59DoK8tGgU0SR7S?usp=sharing . Feel free to create your own folders within if it's easier to organize.

GRS dates 

Oct 15 & 16 for first grade “Peter Rabbit”

                Jan 27-29 for second grade “Stone Soup”

Week 1!

 Phew! We've been wondering and praying over this first week for SO long! Many folks are in prayer over this return to school. What a blessing it is to see you with your children. We're working through a LOT right now. So grateful to have our newest blessings in our care....also good to take one step at a time in getting to know our little learners who haven't experienced school since March 13. Keep me in the loop with how and when I can support this work and these budding relationships. You've done fantastic work! Rome can't be built in a day but we sure can make good progress. And we are!!! I pray a rest-filled weekend over each of you this weekend. I also pray a bit less heat and humidity next week.

Staff Meeting

Our next staff meeting will be in Angie's room??? on Thursday, September 3 from 3:30-4:00! 

It's Nearly GO Time!

Have I ever been more excited and least ready for a school year? I think not! Man oh mister, you guys, I'm so grateful to be on this journey into the school year with every single one of you! God is going to do GREAT things with our faithful work! Let's do this, team! 

Masks

Summer is officially behind us. I have led you by modeling a little "squishiness" with wearing my mask. I will commit to following the language in the executive order. Adults are to wear masks while in a school building. When we eat in the staff center, let's keep the mask on our chin in order to be compliant. I know masks are a flashpoint and they are nobody's favorite. Nobody's. But we will model obedience and respect for others. Let's mask up, friends! I will too! 😷😍

Cleaning Protocol

You will have a cleaning kit delivered soon if you haven't already. The above link teaches the cleaning details and use for the items provided. Thank you! 

Staff Meeting

Let's meet in Emily's room tomorrow at 9:00 for our staff meeting. We'll chew through a lot and share a lot. I don't think we'll need until noon, however. See you tomorrow! 

Outdoor Learning Lessons

Here is the mini unit provided for us by Bob Wandel! Many helpful lessons and tips in here to keep children safely engaged in outdoor learning! 

This Just In!!! (There's going to be a lot of that this year I suspect) 

Parents can attend an outdoor class gathering/chapel if the total number gathering including teachers is under 100 and all are socially distanced. Outside volunteers can come 1 at a time to hep with outdoor education if that is necessary for physical safety! They will be called chaperones and must provide the background check provided at our office prior to the trip. They should try their best to remain socially distanced as well. Teachers should keep a log of chaperones including date, time, place and students they were with. 

PD Week

We're getting closer friends! I LOVE to see our classrooms coming to life! Thank you for the hours and hours you have been pouring into making these spaces safe and nurturing for our little learners! 

PD Week

• Monday, August 17 from 9:00-12:00 Teaching faculty preschool through fifth grade general education please plan to meet at Kamp David for a 'boot camp' session led by a team from the ODC. They will teach tips and tricks for any and all teachers who would like to explore the world of outdoor learning. Please bring a water bottle and a chair. There is a bathroom and sink on the property. A boxed lunch will be provided. You can find Kamp David (spelled with a "K" because this is the Nykamp property) at 4066 64th Street on the south side of Holland. We will plan on our learning adventure from 9:00-12:00. Please be ready to go at 9:00. That might mean arriving a smidge earlier to handle parking. I'll be out there directing traffic ;) Breakfast is not provided....unless you don't mind scavenging the land. Lunch will be from our amazing kitchen staff! 
• Tuesday, August 18 from 9:00-12:00 a staff meeting for Rose Park staff. 9:00-11:00 is ESS and general education teaching faculty only. The entire meeting is open to all others but we will not be able to pay hourly employees for their time. Dr. Forseth will be coming to Rose Park to meet with us from 11:00-12:00. ALL RP staff are invited, expected and paid for this time together! 
• Tuesday, August 18 is the virtual parent night. Please plan to send home the link covering your parent night details to your families. 
• Thursday, August 20 classroom visits scheduled according to your families preferences. 
• Friday, August 21 9:00-12:00 a staff meeting for all Forest School staff.