MS Newsletter – September 2019
Dear Parents,
These are exciting times at the middle school as we have brought in —- new students and staff together with familiar students and staff into a school that is cut in two. I have appreciated the flexibility and patience of the students, staff and you, the parents, have had so far. It is such a blessing to work at a place where we as Christians get to do life together as we follow the example Christ showed us as he walked through the chaos on this Earth two millennia ago.
Two of the new staff are our social worker, Kristin Travers, and our counselor, Chris Render. They have been a blessing to our school already as they help guide, counsel and mentor the young. You can learn more about all our current and new staff members on the middle school staff page.
Counselor/Social Worker Forms
These forms will allow parents and students to have a direct link to Mrs. Travers and Mr. Render. While emails and phone calls are always welcome, completing a referral form helps to ensure that student needs are fully documented and addressed.
Student Referral Google Form link
Parent Referral Google Form link
Updating Parent Demographic Information
Please take a moment to login to PowerSchool and check that the demographic information is correct and up to date. (Directions for updating demographic information)
Daily Announcements/Communication Preferences
We communicate to all parents via a monthly middle school newsletter; students receive daily announcements. This year if you would like to receive a copy of the daily student announcements, you need to OPT IN to that option. Holland Christian uses SwiftReach SwiftK12, which is part of PowerSchool, for communication to parents and students. If you would like to receive the student announcements as a parent, please login to PowerSchool, click “SwiftReach SwiftK12”, and check that the contact information is correct. Then tailor your alert preferences, by checking email addresses and phone numbers that should receive the different forms of communication. Directions for updating SwiftReach SwiftK12. (Note, if you already completed the google form we sent earlier this week regarding announcements, we will update your preferences for you.)
Student Drop off/Pick Up:
Has been running smoothly. Thank you so much for all of your help with this. You can view detailed drop-off & pickup directions online.
Message from the English LA Classes:
Welcome to middle school English Language Arts. We are excited to walk alongside your child as they grow in reading and writing.
Our philosophy of teaching is to have students read books of their choosing. This can get a little tricky in terms of content. Some students may encounter content that is above their age and/or maturity level.
Because your child will be picking their own books to read this year, our encouragement to you is to know what they are reading. Even better, read it with them if you can, and if not, look up the content of the book online. Encourage your child, if they come across anything they makes them uncomfortable, to put their book down and talk to you or us, and maybe select a different book to read.
We will discuss this in class as well. We want to bring you into the conversation, so we can all be aware together.
Thank you for partnering with us.
Sincerely,
Lisa Lundy (8th) & Sam Fox (7th)
MAP Testing:
Will begin next week for both 7th and 8th grade students (Language Usage and Reading) and continue into the following week with their Math MAP.
Links to the Homework pages:
Volunteering:
If you are interested in helping in the classrooms, helping with field trips, covering lunch for teachers, please note that we will need a background check form filled out along with a copy of your driver’s licenses.
Moms in Prayer
MIP starts Friday (Sept 6) morning for SS, PR, and MS. We will meet at 8:20 in the south side library. Hope to see you there!
Other Reminders
Reminders for Parents/Organization Homework Tips
Important Dates
September
September 13 – Homecoming
September 27 – No School: Staff Development
October
October 23 – Half Day
October 24-25 – No School: CEA Convention
November
November 27 – Half Day of School
November 28-29 – Thanksgiving Break
December
Dec 23-Jan 3 – Christmas Break