5th Grade Forest Program: February 20, 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS AND REMINDERS

*Are you looking for a way to volunteer? As a school, we would love to give you the opportunity to volunteer and supervise our class for lunch. You would arrive at 11:25, take students through the hot lunch line, and then supervise the class as they eat lunch. Students would be dismissed to the playground for recess at 12:05. If you are interested in helping, please check our sign up! Thank you!

* Wacky Wednesdays

Hawaiian Day was bright this week!

February 25 - Backwards day

The highest percentage of participants (per class) in each school wins a hot chocolate party! We are trying so HARD and have a plan for backwards day!

* FOREST FAMILY NIGHT HIKE

Due to the icy conditions on the trail and the anticipated warming (icing) temperatures, our Night Hike is postponed. Please save the date for a new after-school, family event on April 23.

* Learning Opportunities for Parents and Educators

The ODC Network is launching a meaningful 4-part speaker series in 2026 featuring nationally-renowned experts who will explore how technology is reshaping our lives and offer practical ways to restore balance for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

Through the generosity of local donors, tickets for the talks in Holland are free (one per email address) and can be reserved HERE.

Mar 3, Dr. Scott Sampson, "The Coming Nature-Rich Urban Communities"
Mar 17, Lenore Skenazy, "Raising Kids in a Digital World"

* COME ONE, COME ALL- Bring in those used books!

We are asking that each student bring in 1-5 used books, to donate to the sale. Students will then have the opportunity to shop for a new (to them) book. The money raised will go to help purchase items for GateWay mission. Books will be collected from Feb. 17-27 and we hope to run the sale the week of March 6th. More information is coming soon! :)

* The girls running club needs you!

We are ready to start signing up girls for our Pine Ridge running club but can not do so until we have some coaches. This will run from 3:15-4:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays. It will culminate with a fun run during Tulip Time. Please contact the office if you are interested.

* Living Hope Showcase 2026: Vintage Vibes: Groovy Songs of the '70's on March 13 and 14 @ 7 pm in the HCHS Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now! Join us in celebrating the iconic songs of the '70's. From Disco to Rock, Folk to Funk, Showcase will be a groovy time! Tickets are available at https://hcs.ludus.com/200517255. $1 of every ticket will benefit the Community Action House.

Curriculum Highlights

BIBLE: We headed to Mrs. Boer's classroom to spend some time in devotions talking about the meaning of Ash Wednesday. We talked about letting things go so that we could make room in our hearts for God as we prepare for Easter. We thought about letting go of burdens and worries that weigh us down. As we reflected on the things we might need to let go of, we wrote it down on a piece of paper.

We then burned those papers to show that we were giving them to God and making room in our hearts for Him to work.

Later in the day, we took the ashes of what we had burned and placed a cross on the foreheads of those who wanted and reminded them of who they are and that they are loved.

"You are a child of God, and you are LOVED!"

MATH: We continue to work on multiplying decimals and Powers of 10.

Look for a multiple choice math practice test coming home Monday with your child. Students should complete the test, check it with the answer key found in the weekly parent email, and re-work any incorrect problems. This homework is due in class on Thursday morning, 2/26.

READING: This week we worked on applying the skills we already know using informational texts about Valentine's Day and Black History Month.