School News

Last week we mentioned a new Kent County Health Department tool that we will use to weigh more objectively the risk levels for in-person learning. Based on our review of the latest guidance, we believe that we will be able to keep all of K-8 in the building regardless of the positivity rate in Kent County (assuming we have a critical number not in quarantine). Doing so may require a few changes to some classroom routines until our local positivity rate drops below 8% and we have no active cases among students or staff, but the good news is that we should be able to maintain in-person learning for everyone even when local COVID-19 spread is high. Of course, revised recommendations or orders could change this, but we are hopeful that we will continue to have the flexibility to make very classroom-specific decisions.

Dress Uniform for Christmas Program Recording on Wednesday, December 16:
Boys: khaki pant and belt, white Oxford shirt, uniform socks (khaki, navy, or black), dress shoes, blazer, and tie.*
Girls: plaid jumper (K-4), skirt or skort (5-8), white blouse, white uniform socks or tights (no leggings), and dress shoes.

*Ties will be sent home on Monday so that boys can arrive at school wearing them on Wednesday. Blazers will be assigned during a fitting and kept at school for the recording.

Holiday Attire for Friday, December 18:
Students are encouraged to wear festive holiday attire on Friday, December 18. They should come to school in this attire since they will not be changing as in years past. “Holiday attire” is not “Color Day” clothing. It means clothing that is Christmas-themed or that which a student might wear to a casual holiday party (e.g., Christmas sweater with slacks or jeans).

Clothes must be clean and neat, i.e., free of rips or holes. Fun holiday accessories (e.g., Santa hats, reindeer antlers) will be allowed at the party, but not earlier in the day. Clothes should be fun and festive but not distracting, e.g., no musical sweaters or socks, etc. No full costumes, pajamas, sweatpants, or yoga pants. If a student chooses not to wear holiday attire, he or she must be in a non-PE school uniform. Please contact your classroom teacher if you have questions.

It’s that time of year again! Thoughtful Reader Book Club is coming! Watch for a flyer coming home next week and plan to enjoy lots of good reading time over break.

The virtue of perseverance enables us to keep going in the face of trials; it also helps us work toward our goals. Set a new goal for the quarter or re-commit to working toward an old one. Post your goals on the fridge or in some other common area so family members can encourage each other.

We have much for which we are thankful, and that includes the fact that we have already received over $4,300 in donations toward our annual fund goal of $70,000. With the dollar-for-dollar match, we have $8,600 of the $70,000 we aim to raise this year. With $25,700 in matching funds available until the end of December, what could you do to support Christian classical education during these challenging times?

Additional annual fund flyers are on the table outside the office. If you know someone who would be willing to partner with us in this fund drive, please take one to share.

Worth remembering: In spite of the additional costs associated with remote learning, there have been no technology or administrative fees or surcharges. Aside from the cost of meals and uniforms, tuition is still the only bill families receive for the entire year. That is not the case at most other private schools.

Thank you for your support and for sharing our Annual Fund flyers with friends and family. Please click here to donate today!

This week Kent County Health Department released a new tool for schools to use when determining building-specific risk levels for extracurricular activities and in-person learning. We are currently at the highest risk level and expect to remain there for a while.

For now, we will not have any in-person performances or gatherings. This will likely be true until Kent County’s positivity rate drops below 8% AND we have no positive cases among the students or staff.

Based on the latest guidance, we do believe that we will be able to keep K-4 in the building regardless of the positivity rate in Kent County (assuming we have a critical number not in quarantine). The same may not be true for 5-8, and we will be evaluating strategies over the next few days. Revised recommendations or orders could change any or all of this, of course, but we want to pass along what we know at this time.

You all have been wonderful when it comes to keeping children home when they are not feeling well, and we ask you to continue using that extra ounce of caution. Making prudent choices about sending children to school and about what activities your family engages in outside of school means a great deal to every Trinitas student, parent, and teacher. Thank you!

In a year when we’ve had to focus on new routines, it’s easy to lose track of the “regular” ones. Please take note of the following reminders.

Dismissal Time Vehicle Identification

Family name cards must be visible at afternoon pick-up. The dismissal process is slowed significantly when we can’t read the name or if the card is missing. Please keep your family’s card in your vehicle so it’s always handy. The card needs to be placed so that it can be read by the dismissal teacher, i.e., flat against the glass. We may need to require vehicles without clear identification to move to a waiting area if delays continue. If your pick-up plans change, please remember to inform the office before dismissal time.

Dressing for the Winter Weather (Even When It’s Sunny)

We had a remarkably sunny November here in West Michigan, but make no mistake, the temperatures have dropped and will continue to do so. At times, wind chills have been in the teens during morning recess. Students must be dressed for the weather. This includes not only their outerwear, but their uniform choices. Shorts may not be worn after November 1. Girls must wear leggings under skirts. Because students are not changing at school on PE days, and may spend part of PE outside even on a chillier day, they should wear the uniform athletic pants and not shorts at this point.

No Fast Food/Restaurant Deliveries

Effective immediately, we are no longer allowing fast food deliveries for students during any part of the school day. Parents are welcome to bring a forgotten lunch, if necessary, but we are not able to manage the office/classroom disruption and inconvenience caused by unexpected restaurant deliveries. In addition, if those meals arrive too late, the students are not able to eat them until after school.

During Advent we prepare our hearts to receive the greatest of all gifts, God’s only Son. It is out of gratitude for this gift and all other good things from the hand of our heavenly Father, that we are called to imitate His generosity. We do so in ways both big and small, in times of plenty and times of deprivation, only through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is in recognition of this power and faith in the provision of our good God that we ask for Trinitas staff, family, and friends to prayerfully consider in what ways they are able to give to the life of the school and to help those in need.

2020 has significantly strained most private Christian schools, and Trinitas is no different. The Annual Fund is the most important way you can support the school financially. In addition, some members of our Trinitas community have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. We have started a benevolence fund to further aid them beyond what is available through the Annual Fund. Donations may be brought to the office. Please designate gifts by marking them for the benevolence fund. Checks may be made out to “Trinitas Classical School”.

As is our tradition, we have chosen a local charity to share with during Advent. We will continue to collect winter outerwear and accessories for Mel Trotter Ministries’ “Code Blue” Drive. New or gently used men’s, women’s, and children’s winter outerwear and accessories, for all ages and sizes, may be brought to the school office until Christmas break. The campaign runs through the end of December.

We have been talking about persevering toward goals. James 1:12 reminds us of our ultimate goal: “Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love him.”