¡Hola Familias!I hope you have enjoyed a fun and relaxing Memorial Day weekend! In my family, we have spent most of our weekend outdoors, working in the yard, clearing some land, planting some flowers, and enjoying some (surprisingly) sunny weather. It's great to disconnect and spend time together as a family in God's creation.
I can't believe that as I'm writing this, we're preparing for our last week together! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for each one of you. You have been amazing families to get to know and build friendships with this year, and your children will always hold special places in my heart. I will truly miss teaching this precious group of kids!
I'll give a quick update on our past week as well as include some important end-of-year information below!
*We had a great trip to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park on Wednesday, where we saw baby crocodiles, fed giraffes, took a "safari ride" to see zebras and water buffalo, and took naps on the long bus ride (well, some of us!).
*We learned about the country of Perú, tried some alfajores, and helped dress a llama with some lana (yarn)!
*We learned about some more of Jesus's parábolas and milagros, including the story of María y Marta, the 10 lepers, and the prodigal son. We also created a book about each student's favorite story from Bible class this year. Hope you got to see and enjoy it with your child!
*We finished our end-of-year reading and math assessments, including the MAP tests! Phew! It's been great to see how much the kids have grown this year.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
*Wednesday, May 29th: Field Day, 12:30-3:00pm
*Friday, May 31st: Last Day of School, 1/2 day
*Saturday, June 1st: End of Year Fiesta! We hope everyone can make it! Please see details and sign up to bring a food item here.
Passing the Baton
Holland Christian Schools has developed a strong culture of adults investing in and mentoring students, cultivating a fruitful context for positive spiritual formation of our students. From Preschool through senior year, Holland Christian students know they are loved, affirmed, instructed and nurtured to become all that God has gifted them to be as his agents of shalom in our world. This happens in one-on-one conferring between teacher and developing reader; on the field, court, pool or stage between coach and performer; over coffee or breakfast between teacher and teen. HCS staff members invest into the lives of students, helping to create a “fabric of faithfulness” surrounding students who are encouraged to grow and “stay strong in their faith.”
One way that we tangibly can represent this “life-on-life” influence institutionally, yet personally, is to pass a customized HCS track baton from teacher to student, and student to teacher each year that a student is at HCS. Inside of this baton that follows each student throughout her or his HCS years is a scroll of paper with the accumulated personal messages of recognition and encouragement that will be added by that student’s teacher each year.
Please watch for this special baton, labeled with your child's name, to come home with your child on the last day of school, May 31. Read the scroll inside, celebrate and pray together with your child over the growth that has taken place throughout this school year filled with God's providence, guidance and love. You may feel free to write a note to your child on this baton scroll as well and invite another mentoring adult or two to write a thoughtful note encouraging your child as well. We ask that you store this baton in a safe place throughout the summer months so that your child can pass this baton to his/her new teacher next fall.
Immersion Tip of the Week
Check out a GREAT summer resource for your child to continue his/her Spanish learning--a FREE "Spanish Summer Read and Play" program, where you'll get access to an entire summer calendar with interactive links every day, as well as other fun activities! Sign up here!
Reading Tip of the Week
Pick up your books for the Summer Slide program at South Side Christian School starting on May 28th at 6:00pm! The Summer Slide program will be on July 31st at Rose Park from 1:00-3:00pm. Can't wait!
See you tomorrow for an amazing last week of school!
