HOME COMMUNICATOR
Does anyone else feel overwhelmed when they look at their calendar these days? I know I do. March is a busy time in the school calendar as we interview and hire new staff, plan events for the remainder of this year, and start to think through things for the 2025-2026 school year.
For our families, this is also a time when spring sports begin, spring concerts are coming up, calendars fill up quickly with extra activities, and it stays lighter at night so no one is going to bed on time. And if you’re traveling for spring break, that adds another level of stress just to prepare for the trip. Make it stop!
”Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Luke 5:15-16 NIV
Jesus knew busyness. Throughout his ministry, Jesus’ time was filled with teaching, healing, driving out demons, and managing large crowds of people who were eager to get a piece of His time. But Jesus also took time to rest. We read in Luke 5:15-16, “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Despite His busy schedule, Jesus intentionally spent time with the Father to rest and be recharged for the work he needed to do.
As followers of Jesus, we need to follow Christ’s example of resting. In our fast-paced culture, it is so important to take the time to just be with our Father in a quiet and restful way. My prayer is that in the busy weeks ahead, we may all find pockets of time for peace and rest from the busyness around us, just like Jesus did.
In Christ,
Tricia Kiepert
Elementary Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Spring Break
Spring Break is April 3-11. School will resume on Monday, April 14. If you plan on taking your child out of school early prior to spring break, please make sure that you notify your child’s teacher and the school office via the Childwatch line 616-379-0332.
Employment Opportunities
We are looking for people who love the Lord and love working with our youngest learners. These are our current openings:
- Tuesday / Thursday morning 3 School
- Tuesday / Thursday / Friday Nature-Based 4 School
Click here to find out more information on our website!
URGENT Volunteer Need
A Scrap Metal Drive will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 2 and May 3, to benefit the Foundations of Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School. The drive will be held at the Arrowaste Outlot, 1296 Chicago Dr. Jenison from 1pm-8pm on Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday. WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS! If you’re able to help click HERE to sign up! Thank you for supporting our school!
Summer Hiking Trips – Sign up due April 2!
Mr. Schnyders will once again be leading students 5th grade and up and families on hiking/camping trips this summer! The Manistee hike will be June 26-28 and the UP hike will be July 16-19. Click HERE for more information and to sign up! Deadline to sign up is April 2.
HCS Walkathon
These are the last couple days to collect pledges! Please remember to turn in your pledge sheet, money and envelope on Tuesday, April 15. All online donations need to be completed by April 15 as well. Encourage online donations through this link. Tax receipts for pledges will be sent to the donors so make sure their information is complete on the form. Thanks for your hard work in getting pledges!
Here is the schedule for the Walkathon:
Elementary Chapel @ 8:15-8:40
Grades 6, 7 Board Buses: 8:00 Walk: 8:15-9:00
Grade 4, 5 Board Buses: 9:00 Walk: 9:15-10:00
Grades Y5,K & 8 Board Buses: 9:45 Walk: 10:15-11:00 (Seaver & Lubbers)
Grades K, 1 Board Buses: 10:45 Walk: 11:15-12:00 (DeLong, Ymker, & Yonker)
Grades 2, 3 Board Buses: 12:15 Walk: 12:30-1:15
All parents and grandparents are welcome to walk or cheer on their students during the walk. Please note that Unity’s policy is that no dogs are allowed on the athletic campus. Let’s be good neighbors and respect their wishes so that we can continue to use this great facility.
Students should bring a water bottle to the track and wear their HCS t-shirt. We will have water jugs at the track if refills are necessary. We are looking forward to a great day. Thank you for your support! Encourage your children to do their best, not be the best!
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu and other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Consuming Fire Art Show
Save the Date for the Consuming Fire Art Show on Thursday, April 24 from 6:00- 7:30. Every student from Y5-4th grade will have art displayed throughout the school, including the much anticipated Black Light Exhibit! We cannot wait to celebrate the artistic abilities in every student!
Lost and Found
Please remind your child(ren) to check out the lost and found items in the hall by the lower elementary office to see if anything belongs to them. Parents – please check out the lost and found when you are at school.
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us! If you would like to view the Middle School Chapels at a later time, you can also find recordings on our Vimeo channel- Chapel.
- Tuesday, April 1 – 5th Grade Homeroom – Mrs. Bronson
- Tuesday, April 15 – 5th Grade Homeroom – Mr. Meengs
- Friday, April 18 – All School chapel – Good Friday
Hot Lunch
No Hot lunch this week!
Faces and Our Culture Opportunity
Our school has been part of an amazing cultural exchange program for Guatemalan students for years, and we’re excited to keep it going! Faces And Our Cultures provides Guatemalan students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in our community for eight enriching weeks. During their stay, these ambassadors will fully integrate into our school community and participate in all school activities. The program runs from Sunday, October 19 – Saturday, December 13.
To become cultural ambassadors, participants undergo a thorough selection process and extensive preparation throughout the year. Each child will be matched with a student close in age and same gender. The host family provides homestay for 8 weeks, making them part of the routine, activities, rules, curfews, and house chores as another member of the family. School kindly provides lunches, school materials, and school related activities. For those interested in learning more about the Faces program, please register here for more information.
Earth Day PaperGator Contest
We have a chance to earn up to $5,000.00 for our school by collecting as much paper in our PaperGator as we can from January through April! It’s called the PaperGator Earth Day Contest! Spread the word to your family and friends to fill up the middle school PaperGator located in the west parking lot off of the bus loop.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian New Student Co-Curricular Night
Unity Christian will hold a Co-Curricular Night for incoming freshman/new students on Wednesday, April 16 starting at 7:30 p.m. Students and parents will have the opportunity to meet with the coaches and organizers of Unity athletic teams and activities such as Student Council, Science Olympiad, Robotics, the play, the musical, and more to learn about areas where they might like to become involved at Unity. A schedule for the evening will be emailed to parents of current 8th graders. We look forward to seeing you on April 16, and feel free to contact us at 669-1820 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
Unity Christian Summer Sports Camps
Registration for Unity’s Summer Sports Camps for students ages 3 – 12th grade opens on Tuesday, April 15. The registration link and schedule of camps can be found at unitychristianathletics.org under “Camps & Clinics”. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
- Register between April 15 – May 7 – Receive a 15% multi camp discount on four or more camp registrations and can pay by check/cash (due May 14) or credit card.
- Register between May 8 – June 4 – Only credit card payment accepted.
- Register June 5 or after – $10 late registration fee and only credit card payment accepted.
- Please register your child in the grade they will be entering in fall of 2025.
A weekend away, a world of difference!
JH Outback Grand Rapids is an adventure packed weekend that is life-changing for parents and their teen children(13-20 years old). Immersed in an undistracted environment that focuses on building connection and communication to last a lifetime!! You will bond through shared goals, challenges and a deeper understanding of life purpose and biblical values. May 16-18, 2025 at TimberWolf Lake Lodge in Lake City, Michigan. Watch this video for more information, and sign up at www.jhoutback.com. Please contact Danielle DeSmit @ 616.299.3067 if you have any further questions.
IMPORTANT DATES
Limited Busing PM
Report Cards Posted
