HOME COMMUNICATOR
Last summer, my extended family took a vacation to a cottage on Diamond Lake. My grandparents are in their 90’s, so we wanted to revisit a summer vacation we took for over 20 years. I have countless memories of our time at the cottage, and this summer was no different as we reminisced on the past. One afternoon as I walked through my grandparent’s cottage, a delicately placed Bible on a coffee table caught my attention. As long as I can remember, my grandparents have been in the Word daily, and a family vacation with distractions galore didn’t change that fact.
One of my favorite chapels we routinely have in middle school is no different. Students spend 25 minutes reading and reflecting on a few select passages and hallways lined with students and worship music in the background, sends shivers down my spine. We often get distracted by the spectacle of a good chapel. What is the right song to choose? Is there a skit or story that will resonate with the students? What Scripture passage or message needs to be shared?
While all valid questions, an impactful chapel is relatively simple–hand a student a Bible. Doing so, we pray that our students continue to spend time reading their Bible, even when they are on a family vacation in their 90s.
Chris Achterhof
Middle School Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Thanksgiving Break
There will be no school for 3 School through eighth grade November 26-28. Kids’ Corner and our school offices will also be closed. Thank you!
Cookies
This week Friday morning students will have the opportunity to purchase freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for $.25 each (limit 4).
Moms in Prayer
The Moms in Prayer group believes that through prayer God releases His power on behalf of our children and school. Our faith is in a living God who hears and answers our prayers. This week Friday we will be meeting at the Elementary School from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Check in at the main office and they will direct you where to go. We will be focused on praying for our amazing Specials and Core 2 teachers this week. We look forward to praying with you!
Parents’ Club Board – Open Meeting
As a parent/guardian of a student at HCS you are a part of the Parents’ Club! The Parents’ Club Executive Board (PCB) hosts a “General Assembly” meeting to provide updates and information specific to Parents’ Club support services, events and fundraisers. You are welcome to attend this meeting this Friday, November 21 from 8:00 am-8:30 am in the elementary west conference room.
Yearbook Order
Now is the time to order the HCS yearbook for your student! Orders are taken now for the all-color yearbook that students will receive in May 2026. The cost is $30 per yearbook and you must purchase it online through YearbookOrderCenter.com. Our school order number is 3469. Please note that you must order by Sunday, November 30.
EARLY CHILDHOOD & KIDS' CORNER NEWS
Coffee and Praise and Worship
Preschool parents are invited to join us for a special coffee and praise & worship time with our preschool classes. Enjoy coffee, fellowship, and a meaningful time of worship alongside your child. You may attend on the day that best fits your schedule: Monday, November 24 or Tuesday, November 25 — starting at 10:00. Coffee will be served in Room 83 with praise and worship following in the East Gym at 10:20. We look forward to celebrating God’s goodness together with our preschool families! Please complete this survey so that you can be pre-registered with our school visitor system for this event.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, November, 21, elementary students will have a praise and worship chapel from 10:00-10:25. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
Information on the Elementary Hot Lunch program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website. Make deposits and monitor your account through the Family Portal. If you have questions please contact the food service at foodservice@hpseagles.net.
Thanksgiving Food Collection
The elementary students will be participating in a food drive this November for the Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry. Please bring non-perishable food or toiletry items to school by November 24. Some of their most needed items include: toilet paper, tissues, dish soap, laundry detergent, 13 gallon trash bags, sandwich bags, deodorant, toothpaste, cold cereal, granola bars, peas/carrots combo, mandarin oranges, tortillas, refried beans, taco seasoning, canned pasta, corn beef hash, cooking oil. No expired food please!
Love Bazaar
It’s beginning to look a lot like Love Bazaar time! December 5, students will get a special opportunity to shop for their families! This week your child will bring home a packet of information regarding their class shopping time. Please have your kids make their shopping list, and check it twice, to ensure that it has their immediate family only. We are also collecting boxes of all sizes, tissue paper, gift bags and bubble wrap so don’t throw out your boxes of Frosted Flakes, they’re grrrreat for wrapping gifts! Drop them off to the Love Bazaar box by the main office. The Love Bazaar Committee thanks you for your help in making this a great kickoff to the CHRISTmas Season!
Christmas Celebration
Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Monday, December 8 for the Elementary Christmas Celebration held at Fair Haven Church beginning at 7 p.m. This program will involve our elementary students in 1st – 4th grades. If you are unable to attend in the evening or would rather come during daylight hours, you are welcome to attend our matinee at 12:30 pm on December 8. We do ask that everyone attend only ONE of the programs. Thank you for your cooperation with this!
Seating at the Christmas Celebration – The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. We ask that out of respect for everyone attending, please no saving of seats before the doors open. Thank you for your help in making this a wonderful celebration of the gift of God’s Son.
Lost and Found
Our elementary lost and found, located in the hall by the lower elementary office, is overflowing! Please remind your child(ren) to check it out to see if anything belongs to them. Items left at Christmas Break will be donated to revive.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM in the south gym on Tuesday and Friday. Parents are welcome to join us!
- Tuesday, November 18 -Student Leaders Giving Project
- Friday, November 21- Mrs. Roode and Mrs. Hoogeboom
- Tuesday, November 25 – CIRCLE
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week is Pizza Ranch Pizza (cheese/bacon) $2.50/slice, pop $1.00/can, chips $.50/bag.
Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW)
The week of Dec. 1-5 is Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) at the middle school. We know that this week will not be transformative for the students and staff if we do not keep in step with the Holy Spirit and listen to what he wants to teach us. We encourage you to pray for SEW (before, during and after!) as we look at the topic of identity: who God is, who God says we are, and how we are sharing that with others.
Parents are also encouraged to come pray AT school 8:00-8:30 a.m. each day during our chapel time (come once or all five days!). There will be a parent facilitator and prayer prompts in the conference room to guide your prayer time. As we keep in mind the armor God has given us to stand firm against the enemy, let’s “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests; and be alert and keep on praying.” Eph. 6:18-19
Thanksgiving Giving/Christmas Giving Opportunities:
Every year around Thanksgiving the 8th-grade Student Leaders at HCMS provide an opportunity for students of all ages to give back and participate in the mission of a gospel focused non-profit organization. This year they have chosen to partner with Project Bible Runners. The mission of this organization is simple; “Gathering and running Bibles to every nation, tribe and person until every faithful follower of Christ Jesus holds in their hands the word of God.” The giving project will include a Bible collection drive. Bins will be set up around school where students can donate Bibles of any condition and in any translation that are not being used, or are collecting dust on the shelf. *Please refrain from donating your personal Bible or a family heirloom Bible!* Our school wide goal is to collect 2000 Bibles.
Here are some amazing stats about this organization.
- In most villages around the world, believers outnumber Bibles 300 to 1!
- For every Bible that is donated and distributed, within one year, 10 people come to know Jesus as their Lord and savior!
Additionally, we will be collecting money donations through a game called Coin Wars. If you have any questions about this giving project, or would like more details about the Coin Wars game, or the mission of this organization, please contact Mr. Brower or Mrs. Roode.
Spring Band Concert Date Change
The Band Spring concert will now take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 7:00, at Fair Haven Ministries. Please note that this is a change from the date shared earlier in the year.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Love Your Neighbor SNAP Relief
In response to the pause in SNAP benefits, Love Your Neighbor is holding weekly food distribution for the estimated 4,500 families in our community who lost this critical resource. For more information and how you can help, click HERE.
Holly Jolly Christmas Market
Zutphen’s Holly Jolly Christmas Market is just around the corner! Join us for a festive day of Christmas cheer at the Holly Jolly Christmas Market on Saturday, December 6 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Zutphen CRC (3223 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426). Shop local vendors, find unique handmade gifts, live Christmas trees, Christmas planters, and enjoy delicious treats, hot cocoa bar, a fun raffle, and lunch. Proceeds go toward the Zutphen Youth Missions Fund. It’s the perfect way to kick off your Christmas season, bring your friends and family! Find us on facebook at Zutphen’s Holly Jolly Christmas Market for more information.
