HOME COMMUNICATOR
Hudsonville Christian School has partnered with All Belong (formerly Christian Learning Center/CLC) for nearly 30 years. Grounded in a Biblical foundation and over 40 years of hands-on experience, All Belong works with Christ-centered schools to recognize that every child has both strengths and challenges. Together, we build a universal support network and provide the resources needed so every student can thrive.
This past week, we had the joy of hosting fellow All Belong Member Schools—three schools who are just beginning their inclusion journey. We welcomed about 15 Christian school staff from three different states for an afternoon of learning, sharing, and celebrating God’s work through inclusive education at HCS.
”Every student is an image-bearer of God and should experience safety, acceptance, and purpose in our community.
During the visit, guests enjoyed fellowship, a tour of our elementary building, and meaningful conversation about why HCS is committed to offering a Christ-centered education to all of God’s children, regardless of ability. Our discussion centered on three core pillars:
Belonging
“Every student is an image-bearer of God and should experience safety, acceptance, and purpose in our community.”
Knowing Students Excellently
“We believe students are best supported when we understand their strengths, needs, story, and potential—and when that knowledge is shared with the adults who serve them.”
Collaboration
“Collaboration is the backbone of sustainable support—teachers, staff, and families have each other to lean on.”
It was truly a blessing to meet with fellow Christian educators who share a deep love for Jesus and a passion for including students with disabilities in the life of the school.
If you would like to learn more about our partnership with All Belong, we encourage you to watch this short film, Incomplete Without Everyone, which features several of our students.
Jenny Gorter
Director of Educational Support Service
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Early Release
This Friday, December 12, is an early release day, with dismissal at 11:10 AM. Our staff will be engaged in valuable professional development during this afternoon. Hudsonville Public buses will run as normal but students riding Unity buses will need to arrange for transportation home.
Unity Busing
December 12: Parents will need to provide their own transportation home at 11:10am. AM busing will run as normal.
December 17, December 18 & December 19: Unity will offer combined busing in the afternoon. Students will arrive home earlier than normal. There will be no PM shuttle bus on these days. AM busing will run as normal.
Christmas Break and Office Hours
Christmas Break will run from December 22 through January 2. School and Kids’ Corner resumes Monday, January 5. The administrative office will be closed on Christmas Day and the day following (December 25 and 26), New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (December 31 and January 1). The middle school will not have set office hours so please call or email msoffice@4hcs.org before visiting the middle school.
School Board Meeting
The next monthly School Board meeting is scheduled for December 15. Please use this as a reminder to pray for our school leadership and administrators. Thanks for your continued support!
Moms in Prayer
Join the Moms in Prayer this Friday as we “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” This week 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 spend our time praising God for his goodness, mercy, love and grace he has poured out so abundantly on Hudsonville Christian this Semester. We invite you to praise God with us!
Christmas Blessings – Share Yours!
Some of our HCS families are experiencing struggles due to employment issues, health concerns, etc. Please prayerfully consider how your family can bless another HCS family in need this Christmas season. If you know of a family in need, please contact Devon Brinks, Tricia Kiepert or Chris Achterhof. Gift card donations in any amount to Family Fare, Meijer, Target, Walmart, and Speedway, can be dropped off in the school offices until December 17.
Year-End Giving 2026
As we look back on this past year, our hearts are full of gratitude for the generosity and faithfulness of our HCS community. We praise God for His faithfulness and the work He is doing in the minds and lives of our students! We invite you to prayerfully consider supporting our mission through Year-End Giving. Our Year-End giving opportunities include giving toward the Building and Grounds Fund, Greatest Need, or the HCS Foundation. Our prayer is to ensure that a quality, Christ-centered education is available for students now and for generations to come. You can find out more information or donate online at https://www.hudsonvillechristian.org/give/.
HCS Returnables Shed
You are invited to drop off your returnable cans and bottles to the recycling shed at any time! The shed is located in the elementary school north parking lot off of Hillcrest Ave. Thank you for supporting our school!
2026-2027 Notable Dates
The School Board has been working on setting the calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. Here are some Notable Dates to begin the process. Once the calendar has been approved, it will be shared with parents.
August 24 Open House & Expo (Y5 – 8)
August 26 First Day of School for Grades Y5-8 Students (Full Day)
September 4-7 Labor Day Weekend (No school for students)
September 8 & 9 Preschool Begins
October 15-16 CEA Convention (No school for students)
October 30 Grandparents Day
November 10 & 12 Y5-8th Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 13 No School
November 25-27 Thanksgiving Break (No school for students)
Dec. 21 -Jan. 3 Christmas Break Begins (No school for students)
January 4 School resumes
February 19-22 Winter Break (No school for students)
March 15 HCS Society Meeting
March 26 Good Friday
March 28 Easter
April 1-9 Spring Break (No school for students)
April 12 School resumes
May 31 Memorial Day
June 2 8th Grade Graduation @ Fair Haven
June 4 Last Day of School (Early release)
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, December 12, the Young Fives and Kindergarten classes will lead us in a special Christmas 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.
Christmas Celebration | Recording
Last night, our 1st through 4th grade students led us in worship as we celebrated Christ’s Birth. A big “THANK YOU!” to the Christmas Celebration Committee and all the teachers for their fantastic leadership! Click HERE to view the recording.
Christmas Collections
Our elementary students will be taking collections this Christmas season for the following organizations:
- 3 School — Closet of Hope
- 4 School — Toys For Tots
- Nature Based 4 School — BLVD Church – Outreach
- Young 5s/Kindergarten — Freedom in Christ Ministry in Uganda (Shaarda Family)
- First Grade — Hand2Hand Ministries
- Second Grade — GRPS Winter Gear
- Third Grade — Family Promise
- Fourth Grade — Gateway Mission
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. Unclaimed items will be donated to revive over Christmas break.
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!
- December 9 – 5th Grade Students leading chapel
- December 12 – No chapel/Early Release
- December 16 – Sarah Bolt leading Chapel
Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch this week Wednesday will be Chick Fil A sandwiches for $4.50, pop $1.00/can, chips $.50/bag.
Middle School Band/Choir Concert
The 6th-8th Grade Bands and Choirs will be performing at our annual HCMS Winter Concert on Tonight, December 9 at the Fair Haven Church. The Concert begins at 7:00 and students’ call time is 6:45. Students should be in formal concert attire (white shirt with black bottoms and black shoes). However, students MAY add a splash of color (green, red, gold, silver, or blue) with a tasteful accessory. NO santa hats or elf ears, please. Choir students will be sitting with Parents/Guardians when they are not performing. Band students will be on the stage the entire concert. We’re looking forward to a fun evening of music filled with many Christmas favorites!
HCMS Ski Club
The HCMS ski club will officially kick off this Friday, December 12 with our first scheduled Ski club date! Please note however, this is an Early Release date and no transportation will be provided on this date. Students are welcome to go up early with the half day. Mrs. Duimstra plans to be to Bittersweet around 1:30 and additional Sponsors will be headed out later in the afternoon once their meetings conclude. Lift Ticket & ski/snowboard rental sales will be Thursday during break. If your child has not yet purchased a Ski club card, there are forms in the office that can be completed and turned in with payment of $32.
- $32 for lift ticket
- $32 for ski/snow board rental OR $47 for ski/snow board & helmet rental.
HCMS 6th Grade Ski Club – Sponsors -Jon Huisman/Kara Helms/Rachel Mast
HCMS 7th Grade Ski Club – Sponsors -Chris Lowe/Kevin Sills
HCMS 8th Grade Ski Club – Sponsors -Chris Achterhof/Emily Duimstra
Middle School Spelling Bee
The middle school Spelling Bee is scheduled for 12:00pm on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Congratulations to the following students who have qualified and will compete in the middle school Spelling Bee:
- Grade 5: Natalie Beselsen, Tinsley DeBruin, Karrington DeMann, Mariah Mulder, Elsie Prins, Richie VanDam
- Grade 6: Karter Brusveen, Graham Buursma, Bennett Foreman, Bennet Hall, Arri Langstraat, Aiden Mulder, Milo Schmuker
- Grade 7: Quinn Fuller, Clara Kuipers, Ben Hughes, Isabella Mulder, Jack Richardson, Christian Ypma
- Grade 8: Kyler Bebej, Jack denHollander, Leo Ensing
Parents of these students will receive a letter from school and email this week with further details. If you do not receive a letter or email by next week, please give the middle school office a call at (616) 379-0338 or contact Joy Duimstra at mslibrary@4hcs.org. Thank you for supporting your student with the preparation for this opportunity!
Giving Opportunities
This year the 8th grade student leaders 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. 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.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Wrestling Teams
Unity Christian will be hosting a wrestling team for boys and girls in 6th-8th grades from January 6 through February 11. All experience levels are welcome for this opportunity to learn the sport and compete against other schools! Details and registration information can be found on the Unity Athletics website here: Middle School Wrestling Information. Email athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions.
Unity Ski Club
Unity Christian High School will be offering Ski Club this season at Bittersweet Ski Resort.Ski passes must be purchased by WEDNESDAY, December 10 using this link: Unity Ski Club Info/Sign-up. Students also have the option to purchase individual lift tickets each Friday. If choosing this option, students must bring exact cash or a check made out to Bittersweet. Ski Club is open to UCHS students and families. For questions, contact Kristen Koetje at 616-560-2014.
