Jan. 27

UPCOMING FIELD TRIP: We are headed to Hemlock Crossing on Friday, Feb. 10. Take a peek at the Hemlock Crossing Field Trip Sign Up. We need 2 more parent volunteers.

WRITING - We've completed our persuasive essays and celebrated those with the rest of the 4th grade.  Look for it to come home next week.  Be sure to read through it with your child and complement them on their work.  Next week we will being working on a non-fiction piece featuring a topic we have some personal expertise about.

SWIMMING LESSONS - Please be reminded that each day for the next two weeks we will be traveling to the Aquatic Center for swimming lessons.  Your child will appreciate outfits that are easy and quick to change in and out of for the next two weeks (and maybe a longer shirt to cover the unmentionables while changing in the locker room😉).  Some kids also like a hairbrush in their backpack so they can brush through their hair upon returning to school.

MORNING SNACK - Because we have swimming lessons just before lunch, our lunch time will be delayed.  It may be wise to send along a nutritious morning snack (as well as an afternoon snack) for the next two weeks.  Swimming usually makes kids hungrier anyway.  After that, we will return to our normal lunch time and will only need one snack a day.

WINTER ON THE PLAYGROUND - Please be sure your child is prepared to be fully dressed for winter during recess.  Coat, snow pants, boots, hats and mittens/gloves are necessary.  Also, a dry pair of indoor shoes (also appropriate for gym class) is necessary too.  Thank you for your support!

Jan. 20

What a great day to visit the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. 

 

Here's what we are learning...

Bible - Finishing up the life of Saul and moving onto King David's reign

Math - Learning how to check our work in long division and practice solving story problems.

Writing - Publishing up our persuasive essays

Reading - Reading how to read narrative and hybrid (Magic School Bus) information texts

Social Studies - Beginning our unit on the History of the United States

Swimming Form: Please be sure to look for the swimming lessons form that came home today. That form needs to be read, signed, and returned to school by WEDNESDAY! Thank you!

Report Cards: Report Cards can now be viewed electronically. You can locate your child's report card on PowerSchool. I have learned that the best way to view the report card is on a desktop/laptop. A phone's view will only allow you to see the number scores, but does not show you the comments.

In 4th grade, your child will receive a letter grade for math and Bible. These grades are based on tests taken throughout the quarter. We also use a number (1, 2, 3) grading scale. 

As a teacher, these are how I view each number.

1 - Needs lots of support and is an area of concern. This is a skill we will continue to work on.

2 - Not quite mastery, but is able to use the skill independently with some help/support. 

3 - Mastery of the skill. They do not need help or support. They are able to do this skill independently.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

HC K-6 Boys and Girls Volleyball Opportunity: Whether you are brand new to the sport of volleyball or have been playing for some time, this clinic is for you!  Led by the high school coaches and mentored by Holland Christian varsity volleyball players, kids will have 3 fun and active sessions learning the game of volleyball and focusing on improving foundational skills.  We work hard to coach every level and look forward to helping you grow in the game of volleyball while you also challenge yourself physically, and engage in fun and memorable games and activities.  

Who: K-6 Boys and Girls

When: March 11, 18 and 25

        K-2nd 8:00-9:20am 

        3rd-6th 9:30-10:50am

Where: HC High School Gym

Cost: $25 

Link to sign up: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/HollandChristianSchool

Jan. 13

What are we learning?

Math: Mastering the skill of long division!
Writing: Editing our AMAZING persuasive essays
Reading: Learning how to read information texts structures
Social Studies: Finishing our unit about the Geography of the United States
Bible: Learning about Saul and David's relationship and seeing God in the stories

NO SCHOOL on Monday, Jan. 17.

NO SPELLING next week..we have a bit of a busy week at school :)

FIELD TRIP: We are going on a field trip to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo on Wednesday, Jan. 18. This is an aero-space and science museum! There will be over 100 air and space related artifacts. We will leave school around 8:30 and return before 2:30. Each student will need a lunch to eat while we are there.

Classroom Needs: I am in need of more Clorox Wipes and hand sanitizer. If there is room in your grocery budget for purchasing these items, our classroom would appreciate it!

TTQ (Boys Running Club): Andrew, from TTQ running club, will be in our building to talk to our 3rd-5th grade boys during lunch time on Thursday, January 26.  Just a heads up! A flyer should come home with them the following Monday.

Barn Chores: We will have Barn Chores on Tuesday, Jan. 31. We will make sure to put that on our planner as a reminder!

SWIM LESSONS: A note from Mrs. Rynsburger: Now that safety concerns we lived through during the pandemic are released, the Aquatic Center is able to provide swim lessons for us again this year! I recognize this program is a little uncomfortable for each child because it’s new and unfamiliar. Because our children are blessed to be raised in Michigan, surrounded by bodies of water, we believe this safety instruction is a blessing that we pray they will never need but feel responsible to equip them. If you find yourself pondering over the “why” of lessons, please take a listen to HC mom Jenny White on the why swim safety. HCAC Swim School welcome video that will help you understand a bit about the logistics. Our 1st-4th graders will be bussed to the pool each day the weeks of January 30-February 10.

4th Grade Time – 11:15am-11:45am 
Parents are welcome to watch from the bleachers of the instructional pool on the final two days. 

Jan. 6 - Welcome Back!

It's good to be back!  While we all enjoy a little break from the "work" of school, it certainly does feel right to be back at it and have some direction to our days again.  Plus, I missed these kids over break! It is so great to surround myself with them all day at school.

We accomplished SO. MUCH. LEARNING. this week!  These kids were focused and diligent.  They were complete and thorough.  I don't know if it is the beginning of a new year that causes this or what, but I'll take it!

During math on Thursday, the students took the lead in teaching long division. They were SO eager to go up to the camera and teach the class. I just sat back with a HUGE smile on my face as I watched their confidence soar through the ceiling!

Classroom Needs: I am in need of more Clorox Wipes and hand sanitizer. If there is room in your grocery budget for purchasing these items, our classroom would appreciate it!

Peek at the ROSE PARK BLOG: https://hollandchristian.org/rp-newsletter-0123/

Girls' Running Club: Third- through fifth-grade girls are invited to join the Rose Park Girls' Running Club this spring. Together, we will learn about the physical and mental benefits of running as the girls gain confidence and work toward the goal of running a 5K at the end of the program. The club is designed to be fun and welcoming and there is no cost to participate.

Practices will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. starting Tuesday, March 14 (no practices during spring break). The club ends with the Tulip Time 5K on May 6.

To sign up or for more information, contact coach Goldie Van Horn at 570-401-7181 or goldievanhorn@gmail.com.