Nuts and Bolts

OK, friends! The goal? Let's just try not to implode over the next two weeks! On top of all of the amazing learning and transformational experiences you have planned in your classroom, we've got school-wide experiences planned galore as well! I'm trying to boil this down to just the facts, ma'am. 

Spring Program

Because we really need to practice with our fourth graders for the program we're going to move chapel/practice to Tuesday from 12:20-1:15. No chapel on Wednesday. Kindergarten is at encore during that time on Tuesday. Encore teachers, please plan to attend the program practice with the class you would typically teach at that time. I apologize for the interruption to the flow and balance of your class. How about this? Let's make a deal! If we can get through this spring program this week, let's not do it next year. Deal? 😅

Speakers and Dancers

I will continue to practice with speakers and dancers during recess times throughout the week. 

Please plan to wear your navy blue Walk a Thon t shirts for the program. We'll ask children to wear theirs as well. 

Thursday Afternoon

Pick up will be at 12:40

Bus #1 

Sanchez

Hossink

Diekema

Snoeyink

Bus #9

Cupery

Winningham

Dokter

Rietman/Vos

Bus #14

Brouwer

Klipp-Lopez

Bos

Damsteegt

Bus #121

Scott

Cantu

Schebor

Vanderzwaag

Slide Deck

Parents will be enjoying a slide deck of photos while they wait for the program to begin (I worry that some may be waiting for the program warming the seats around 2:00 in the afternoon! 😂) If you have any special photos you'd like to add to our slide deck, please feel free. to add to it. 

Collectors

We will be taking a collection mid-way through the program to help fund the cost of our venue. If there are any staff husbands that are planning to attend the program and wouldn't mind passing the bucket, would you please let me know? We need about 8 collectors. 

Narthex

Please meet your class in the narthex. It may be wise to bring a story or lap activities to keep them somewhat calm. Bless you, my friends. I'm here to help in any way I am able! We'll share that drop off time is 6:10. If you're willing to arrive a smidge before 6:00, we'll enjoy the calm before the storm hits 😍 And I mean that in the most excited way possible! 

Program 

Begins at 6:30 and we are aiming for a 7:30 end time. 

Recording

There will not be a live stream. Do we have anyone willing/able to record the full program? 

NEXT! 

Kids Food Basket Week

This event begins on Monday. I'm so grateful for this opportunity allowing us to step into servant living. We’re approaching Holy Week during which Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of service and love. Our act of service and love to our neighbors is help offer relief from food insecurities. It may be a beautiful discussion to hold during snack time which can be so easily taken for granted. Thank you, friends, for passionately growing Christ followers by leading and modeling with your heart!

Day 1-Why is Healthy Food Important? 

1. Why is healthy food so important? What could happen to a student if they weren’t able to get access to healthy food? 

2. What are some positive benefits to eating healthy food? 

3. “All children have a right to healthy food.” Do you think all children currently have access to healthy food? Why or why not? 

Day 2-What is Food Insecurity? 

1. Food insecurity is where a person (or a family) can’t get enough food where everyone can live healthy. 13.7% of children experience food insecurity. How does this make you feel? 

2. Sometimes it's easy to assume that certain people are food insecure, but it can happen to anyone. All it takes is lower pay, fewer work hours, or higher bills. Why is it important to not assume that only certain people are food insecure? 

3. Community is so important when it comes to addressing food insecurity. Why is it important to remember that it takes an entire community to help find solutions to food insecurity? 

Day 3-What is a Food Desert? 

1. A “food desert” is a place where it’s difficult to find healthy food people can easily get. What are some obstacles that families can have in accessing healthy foods in food deserts? 

2. Have you ever heard of a food desert before? If so, when and how did you learn about it? 

3. Why would it be important for our community to know more about food deserts? How would raising awareness about these areas help families that live in those areas? 

Day 4-Phalesha's Story 

1. What were one or two things that stood out to you about Phalesha’s story? 

2. What were some of the things that were hard for Phaslesha to do without healthy meals growing up? 

3. What were some factors that kept Phalesha and her family from purchasing healthier foods when she was growing up? 

Day 5-How You Can Continue to Make A Difference 

1. How do you feel after being a part of a week where you raised food, funds, and learned more about Kids’ Food Basket and their mission? 

2. Why is it important to continue to think about ways that you can get involved beyond this week? 

3. There are several ways to continue to stay involved (i.e. host a fundraiser, organize a “wish list” drive, volunteer, etc.). What are some ways that you hope to stay involved? 

We will have a table set up to collect food items from the wish list:

• Nutri-Grain bars

• Fruit cups

• Cheerios

• Raisin boxes

• Cheez-It crackers 

• Goldfish crackers 

These food items were selected by children who were invited to a listening session so we can ensure we're providing children with healthy choices that suit their preferences as much as possible. 

Additionally, if you'd like to contribute to the mission good work Kids Food Basket provides in our community, please feel free to use this QR code for a direct link

Friday, March 24

Is Go Orange Day to raise awareness and publicly offer support to the continued work done by Kids Food Basket. 

PD

If we have any marbles left in our cranium, we'll be engaged in some learning/work at the high school in the afternoon of the 24th. The 24th is a half day for students. 

5th Grade Band

5th grade Band Practice

Tuesday March 21 9:00am

5th grade Band Students will board the bus at 9:00am and head to Jack Miller to practice for their concert.  They will return to Rose Park by 10:40ish.

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Spring Program

• The spring program is nearly upon us, friends. We hope you are able to attend as our children lead us in worship Thursday evening. We ask that your child wear his/her Streams of Living Water t-shirt for the program. Please meet your child's teacher in the narthex of Christ Memorial Church at 6:10. Our program will begin at 6:30 and we anticipate will commence around 7:30. Our preschool friends will sit with their families and be called up front to lead in singing midway through the program. We've got singers, percussionists, dancers, and what elementary program would be complete without recorders! We can't wait to see you there. 

• Please note we do not have staff available to open the nursery. Nursery will be closed. 

• We will be taking a collection midway through the program to help offset the cost of the venue. Thank you, as always, for all of your support! 

Kids Food Basket Week

Kids Food Basket Week begins on Monday. We're so grateful for this opportunity allowing us to step into the call of servant living. We’re approaching Holy Week soon, friends, during which Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as an act of service and love. One act of service and love to our neighbors can be to help offer relief from food insecurities. We anticipate special learning experiences and what we pray will be impactful discussions each day with your child. Thank you, friends, for passionately growing Christ followers by leading and modeling with your heart!

Kids Food Basket held a listening session with children who struggle with food insecurities. They learned the food preferences from the children right in our own neighborhood! The following is food from their wish list. If you're willing, please bring any of these food items between Monday, March 20-Friday, March 24. 

• Nutri-Grain bars

• Fruit cups

• Cheerios

• Raisin boxes

• Cheez-It crackers 

• Goldfish crackers 

Friday, March 24

Is Go Orange Day to raise awareness and pubicly offer support to the continued work done by Kids Food Basket. 

Additionally, if you'd like to contribute to the mission good work Kids Food Basket provides in our community, please feel free to use this QR code for a direct link

BAND EXTRAVAGANZA - Come one, come all to the Holland Christian Schools Band Extravaganza for a wonderful night of music on Tuesday, March 21. HC’s 5th grade, 6th grade, Middle School, and High School Bands will perform at the Jack H. Miller Center for the Musical Arts on Hope College’s campus at 7pm. Hear a wide variety of musical styles and sounds and you won’t want to miss the closer, featuring over 200 musicians combined!

 

SWINGIN’ THE NIGHT AWAY - The HCHS music department and jazz ensembles invite you to Swingin’ the Night Away on Friday, March 24, 6:45-9:30pm in the HS Cafeteria. Free dance instructions from 6:45 pm-7:30pm. Enjoy intergenerational fun, dancing, desserts and beverages from 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets are $5 at the door. Enjoy Afro-Cuban influenced music, funk tunes, the blues, and a vocal soloist!

Longest blog post ever..... thanks for hanging in there, friends