HOME COMMUNICATOR
Recently, I’ve found myself returning often to the words of the hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness: “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” My prayer in this season has been simple—that God would give me the strength needed for whatever today holds, and small glimpses of that bright hope for tomorrow, trusting that He is a faithful and good God.
”Great Is Thy Faithfulness
In many ways, that line also captures the heart of our work in education. Each day in our classrooms is an opportunity to show up with faithfulness—to teach, to guide, to encourage, and to support students right where they are. “Strength for today” reminds us that we are not called to produce immediate results, but to be present in the small, meaningful moments of each day: a conversation with a student, a lesson that sparks understanding, a moment of perseverance when learning feels difficult.
At the same time, we hold “bright hope for tomorrow.” As educators, we are always working with a long view. We are not only teaching content, but helping shape who students are becoming—academically, socially, and spiritually. Much of that growth is slow, uneven, and at times invisible. There are moments when it may feel like little is changing. And yet, we trust that God is at work in those moments, forming resilience, deepening understanding, and growing faith in ways we may not yet see.
As we move into the final months of the school year, this reminder feels especially meaningful. We continue to show up each day with the strength God provides, trusting that He will also bring about the growth and fruit that is still unfolding. He is faithful—today and tomorrow.
Partnering with you,
Jen Rysdam
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
SCHOOL-WIDE NEWS
Spring Break
Spring Break is April 2-10. School will resume on Monday, April 13. Wishing you a safe and restful break!
2026-2027 Enrollment
Enrollment links for grades 1-8 were sent to your email on March 23, 2026. We ask that you complete all online forms, including tuition payment plans, by May 1, 2026. For more information, including details about tuition deposits and answers to commonly asked questions, please visit our website. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
If you received an email for a preschool, Y5 or K student, please ignore that email. This online enrollment is only for those students going into grades 1-8 in the 2026-2027 school year. Thank you.
HCS Walkathon – May 1
These are the last couple days to collect pledges! Please turn in your envelopes (including the completed pledge sheet and money) plus the online donations submitted before Tuesday, April 14. Don’t forget to encourage online donations through this link. Tax receipts will be sent to donors that have filled out their information on the form. Thanks for your hard work in getting pledges! Preschool families, please refer to your class newsletter for your special schedule. Here is the Y5-8th schedule for the Walkathon:
- Elementary Chapel: 8:15-8:40
- Grades 6, 7: 8:15-9:00
- Grade 4, 5: 9:15-10:00
- Grades Y5,K & 8: 10:15-11:00 (Seaver & Shoemaker)
- Grades K, 1: 11:15-12:00 (DeLong, Ymker, & Yonker)
- Grades 2, 3: 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.
All students please 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!
Employment Opportunities
If you are passionate about Christian education and are dedicated to following Christ, we invite you to consider one of the open employment positions at Hudsonville Christian School.
Scrap Metal Drive
Save the date for the annual Scrap Metal Drive for Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School will be held on May 1 & 2. We are in need of a few more volunteers to help at this fundraiser. Click here for more information and to sign up!
Pigs in a Blanket Sale
Pigs in a blanket are for sale in the admin. office at the elementary building for $15/dozen! Thanks so much for supporting HCS!
Summer Hiking Trips
Students and parents of 4th through 8th graders interested in the summer hiking trips can find more information and a signup form here.
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
Tuition Assistance – FACTS Program
Hudsonville Christian will again be participating in FACTS, a grant application program. Families who wish to apply for tuition assistance will need to use the FACTS application format online via their confidential website. The application fee will be paid by HCS. The FACTS organization will analyze the information of each applicant. Through FACTS, HCS has the ability to more evenly distribute available tuition assistance funds based upon factual information the families provide in the application. Please note that any additional information provided in the comments section at the end of the application is very helpful when making the decision for distribution.
Parents who have children in more than one EOCS school need only to fill out the application one time — the information will be available to the schools where their children attend. The FACTS online website application is available now. Please contact FACTS at 1-866-315-9262 with any questions. The deadline for submitting this application is March 31. For registration please go to www.factsmgt.com.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
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.
Follow His Footsteps Art Show
Save the Date for the Following His Footsteps Art Exhibit on Thursday, April 23 from 6:00- 7:30. Every student from Y5-4th grade will have art displayed throughout the school (including the well loved 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.
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!
- April 14 – Cade Popkin – Grace Community Church
A/B Schedule
Due to some schedule changes, the middle school A/B rotation will be modified after spring break. Please refer to the link on the website for the new calendar: A/B DAY ROTATION
Hot Lunch
There is NO Hot lunch this week Wednesday!! Make sure your child packs a lunch. For WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15th – Hot lunch will be FREE to anyone who wants it. DJ’s Pizza (2 slices max) of either pepperoni or ham. We will also have a gluten free (not celiac friendly) pepperoni option. Pop $1.00 a can (limit 1) will still be available to purchase.
Hot Lunch Survey
Incoming 5th-8th Grade Students/Parents, Hot Lunch Survey- DUE BY APRIL 17, 2026
Lunch at the middle school looks different. Hot lunch is only offered one day a week, on Wednesdays. The first hot lunch for the 2026-2027 school year will be on September 23, 2026. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza (DJ’s, Jets, Pizza Ranch on rotation) DJ’s breadsticks, Chick Fil A, and Mr Burger. Please look for a schedule at the beginning of the school year and information each week in the Home Communicator.
A very important part of ‘how’ we make hot lunch work, is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. ALL Entering 5th-8th grade students will do this survey with their parents. The links for the google form(s) can be found below. EACH grade has a specific form, please choose the appropriate link for the grade your child(ren) will be entering for the 2026-2027 school year (NOT their CURRENT grade). A form needs to be completed for each child- EVEN IF YOUR CHILD WILL NOT PURCHASE HOT LUNCH- there is an option for every item, including an option WILL NOT PURCHASE. This survey can be completed in under 5 minutes. LINKS WILL BE ACTIVE ON WEDNESDAY MARCH 25, 2026 (to accommodate the completion of the incoming 5th grade parent night on 3/24)
Please complete forms by APRIL 17, 2026. We really need parent cooperation with turning these in timely. We will be working over the summer to gather all of this information so we can start hot lunch on time in September. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Jill Besselsen – Jill.besselsen@gmail.com
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 5th Grade ONLY
2026-2027 Hot Lunch Survey 6th Grade ONLY
COMMUNITY NEWS
Unity Christian Spring Events for 8th Grade Students
Unity will hold a Co-Curricular Night for incoming freshmen on Wednesday, April 15 at 7:30 PM. 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, the play, the musical, and more to learn about areas where they might like to become involved at Unity. See this link for a schedule for the evening.
If your student is interested in participating in athletics at Unity, we will be hosting a Sports Physical Night on Wednesday, April 22 from 6:00-8:15 PM. All students who wish to participate in athletics next year must provide Unity with a physical dated after April 15, 2026. There will be a sign up sent out for a time slot, so keep an eye out for an email coming soon for that. The cost for this sports physical is $15, payable that evening to Unity Christian High School. Students seeking a physical need to arrive with a physical form that is filled out on both sides with all signatures complete before they will be examined. You can find a physical form at this link, or they can be picked up at Unity’s Athletic Office.
Please feel free to contact athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have and we look forward to seeing you at these events this spring!
Unity Middle School Tennis Team
Unity Christian is sponsoring a tennis team for boys and girls in 7th – 8th grade. Any student in 7th – 8th grade in one of the Eastern Ottawa Christian schools (EOCS) may sign up to play, regardless of experience. The season runs April 13 – May 18 and practices will be at Unity Christian’s tennis courts. Details and registration information can be found on the Unity Athletics website. The deadline to register is TODAY, March 31. Email athletics@unitychristian.org with questions.
Unity Christian Celebration Banquet
You are invited to celebrate Christian education at Unity Christian High School at the annual Celebration Banquet. This year’s event highlights the legacy that grandparents and parents who choose Christian education have on Unity. It will take place on Monday, April 27, in the Jack Postma Worship Center. The evening begins at 5:00pm with new addition tours & hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner & programming at 6:30pm. The Celebration Banquet is free of charge, but registration is required by April 17. Click here or email development@unitychristian.org to register.
