HOME COMMUNICATOR
Last week, I read a short devotional from Max Lucado’s You Can Count On God. The reading was titled “Christ Came,” and it reflected on how Jesus entered the world right in the middle of unpleasantness, difficulty, and chaos. One line has stayed with me for days: “Through a scandalous pregnancy, an imposed census, an untimely trip, and an overcrowded inn, God triumphed and Christ came.”
I’ll be honest — the very first thing that came to mind was last Monday’s Elementary Christmas Celebration. From the accident in the parking lot, to the Black-Friday-like rush to find seats, to hundreds of nervous and excited children waiting to speak and sing… the evening certainly had its fair share of chaos. But Christ still came. As our students began to tell God’s story and sing their hearts out in testimony to what He has done for them and for all of us, God triumphed and Christ came!
My prayer is that, amidst the chaos this Christmas season brings, you can focus your heart on celebrating Christ’s birth. What a joy to celebrate Christ’s coming!
In Christ,
Tricia Kiepert
Elementary Principal
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
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.
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
TBD 8th Grade Graduation @ Fair Haven
June 4 Last Day of School (Early release)
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week Friday, December 19, elementary students will join together for a praise and worship 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 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 16 – Sarah Bolt leading Chapel
- December 19 – Christmas Chapel – Student Praise team leading
Hot Lunch
Hot Lunch this week Wednesday will be DJ’s pizza (ham/pepperoni) $2.50/slice, pop $1.00/can, chips $.50/bag.
5th Grade Concerts
Orchestra: The 5th Grade Orchestra will present their first concert in the middle school south gym this week Wednesday, December 17, at 2:00. Students should bring their black/white “uniform” to school and will have time to change in the afternoon. The concert will last about 30 minutes and will be completed by the end of the school day.
Band: The 5th Grade Band will present their first concert in the middle school south gym this week Thursday, December 18, at 2:00. Students should bring their black/white “uniform” to school and will have time to change in the afternoon. The concert will last about 30 minutes and will be completed by the end of the school day.
Parents/Grandparents are invited to attend the concerts and can park in the East or West parking lots. All visitors should enter through the Middle school office doors.
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.
