HOME COMMUNICATOR
During Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) at the middle school last week, we used the analogy of an old-school radio to ask, “Where are we tuning in for truth?” Being intimately familiar with God’s Word is the only way to know when we are starting to believe things that aren’t from Him. Like sheep who know their shepherd’s voice, we’ll be able to stay in step with Him better when we are regularly connecting to His Word.
I am always amazed by the powerful ways God moves during this special week. On Friday, the entire middle school gathered in the gym to reflect. In that sacred space, students were given time to meet with God and respond to Him. Students moved about the gym to write in journals, to gather in worship, or to go to various prayer stations. As we closed our time together, my eyes were fixated on a cross in the center of the gym that was covered with hand-written and sealed letters to Jesus. To see those letters blanketing the cross was an extremely emotional moment for those of us who walk alongside these young people at HCS everyday because it’s why we are here.
”My sheep know my voice; I know them and they follow me.
John 10:27 NIV
I’m grateful to be part of a staff that so fully embraces our mission to challenge minds and lives for Christ. There were many “extras” on teacher’s plates this week, and yet when asked to do more for SEW, every single one of them said yes every single time – even to wearing a choir robe and belting out some gospel tunes! If you haven’t had a chance to see that performance, it’s well worth it! Thanks be to God for a powerful week. “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 11:36
In Christ,
Katie VanTil
Nurturing Faith Coordinator
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Early Release
This Friday, December 15 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.
Moms in Prayer
Moms in Prayer invites you to have a profound impact on your children and HCS by praying specifically with other moms each Friday. This week Friday we will be meeting in the preschool lounge at the elementary building, 8:00-9:00 a.m. Please check in at the main office. We will be focused on praising God for all he has done this semester. See you there!
Christmas Break and Office Hours
Christmas Break will run from December 25 through January 5. School and Kids’ Corner resumes Monday, January 8. The administrative office will be closed on December 25, December 29, January 1, 2024. The middle school will not have set office hours so please call or email msoffice@4hcs.org before visiting the middle school.
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 15.
EARLY CHILDHOOD AND KIDS' CORNER NEWS
Early Childhood Exploration Night is Coming!
If you are interested in information about 3 School, 4 School, Nature-Based 4 School, Young 5s, or Kindergarten at HCS, mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25 to attend our Early Childhood Exploration Night at the elementary school. At this parent meeting, you will learn more about our Early Childhood and Kids’ Corner programs and also get to meet the teachers in these areas. Please mark this date on your calendar and tell your friends and neighbors so they can join us!
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
All elementary students will gather in the west gym for chapel on Friday from 10:00-10:25 AM. Parents are welcome to join us and may enter through the west gym lobby doors.
Elementary Hot Lunch
The menu as well as other information on the Elementary Hot Lunch Program provided by JenHud Food Service can be found on the JenHud Food Service website.
Recess Monitor help January – May
We are in need of additional playground monitors during recess starting in January! If you are able to help please sign up HERE.
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 — Life Give/LifeWest Church
- Young 5s/Kindergarten — Gifts of Hope School in Liberia
- First Grade — Hand2Hand Ministries
- Second Grade — GRPS Winter Gear
- Third Grade — Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation
- Fourth Grade — Gateway Mission
- Fifth Grade — The Belong Project
5th Grade Concerts
You are invited to attend the first concert for the 5th Grade Orchestra on Wednesday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. and the Band on Friday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the west gym.
Lost and Found
Our elementary lost and found is bursting with discarded items. Please remind your child(ren) to check out these 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. All unclaimed items will be donated to REVIVE over Christmas break.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff will gather in the south gym for chapel from 7:55-8:25 AM on Tuesday. 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.
- Tyler Prough will be leading chapel Tuesday, December 12.
- No Chapel – Thursday, December 14.
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be DJ’s pizza $2.50/slice. Pop/chips sold $.50 each. The full menu/schedule is listed on our website.
Band, Choir and Orchestra Concert | Photos and Video Recording
The middle school band, choir, and orchestra students performed a fantastic Christmas concert last week! We are excited to be able to provide photo galleries (courtesy of Lisa Huisman Photography) as well as a video from the Jenison Center for the Arts to watch the entire performance.
Photo Galleries: Gallery 1 and Gallery 2
Video Recording: Christmas Concert Performance
Parents of 7th Graders – Winter Camp Forms
Last Friday, the 7th Grade Team sent a yellow medication sheet home with your child AND they emailed you a SpringHill Liability Waiver. These are for 7th Grade Winter Camp. Both forms are due back by this Friday, December 15th!! Please fill out the yellow sheet and return it to school with your student AND sign the waiver online for SpringHill. Thank you for your prompt responses.
Middle School Ski Club
The Middle School Ski club will again be offered this year however it will look a little different. An information sheet and member form was sent home with your middle school students at the beginning of December. There are extra copies in the Middle school office. Completed forms and money can be brought to the Middle school office. Forms must be turned in by this Friday, Dec. 15. Contact Jon Huisman or Chris Lowe with any questions.
Middle School Fundraiser/Coin Wars
We are raising money for the Mosaic Project from now until Christmas. The money raised will be used to renovate a shipping container into a classroom as well as purchase school supplies for impoverished and orphaned children in South Africa. Students are participating in their ‘salad groups’ with coins and bills collected in buckets outside the office.
Middle School Spelling Bee
The middle school Spelling Bee is scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2024. Each grade level can qualify up to eight students. Information is available from the 6th-8th grade language arts teachers. If you have any questions, contact Joy De Windt at jdewindt@4hcs.org.
Sus Manos Gleaners
In the past three months our HCMS students and staff have served at the ministry nine times and processed 214,000 servings of pasta and 64,000 servings of produce. The next service opportunity will be Tuesday, December 19. The Peppy Peppers (homerooms of Huisman, Broersma, and Hoekstra) can sign up now at: SUS MANOS SIGN UP. Check out their website at https://www.smgleaners.org/ for information about their ministry expansion and on how your family, youth group, cadet group, GEMS group… can get involved in serving.
PARENTS' CLUB NEWS
All I want for Christmas is free tuition… and more!
The Auction’s popular “free tuition raffle” is going live in time for Christmas stocking stuffers! BUT THAT’S NOT ALL – You could win some AWESOME experiences to use this Christmas Break: Paintball, Bittersweet, Rebounderz, Orangetheory, Griffins, Glow Golf, Air Zoo & MORE! Raffles close Thursday, December 14th so DON’T WAIT! Winners will be announced on Friday, December 15th! REGISTER NOW to preview items. Questions? Email auction@4hcs.org.
Bonus Box Tops for December
- Earn 5 Bonus Box Tops on Annie’s Soup when you buy any 3 participating Annie’s Soup products in a single transaction between 12/01/23 – 12/31/23.
- Earn 5 Bonus Box Tops on Pillsbury Sugar Cookies when you buy any 2 participating Pillsbury Sugar Cookie products in a single transaction between 12/01/23 – 12/31/23.
- Earn 3 Bonus Box Tops on Chex & Chex Mix when you buy any 2 participating Chex and/or Chex Mix products in a single transaction between 12/01/23 – 12/31/23.
- Earn 4 Bonus Box Tops on Cinnamon Toast Crunch when you buy any 2 participating Cinnamon Toast Crunch products in a single transaction between 12/01/23 – 12/31/23.
- Earn 6 Bonus Box Tops on Blue Buffalo Dog & Cat treats when you buy 2 participating Blue Buffalo Dog and/or Cat Treats products on a single transaction between 12/01/23 – 12/31/23.
Submit receipts within 2 weeks of purchase to the Box Tops app to help earn money for HCS!
COMMUNITY NEWS
Girls Basketball Camp
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a basketball camp for girls in 5th – 8th grades. This program will be held Saturday mornings on January 27, February 3, and February 10. Each session will teach fundamental basketball skills and provide team competition. Grades 5 & 6 will meet from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., and grades 7 & 8 will meet from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $35 for 5th/6th and $45 for 7th/8th, and the deadline to register is January 17. Please go to https://unitychristianathletics.org/main/campsclinics/ for more information and an on-line registration link.
Middle School Wrestling Team
Unity Christian is pleased to offer a Middle School Wrestling team for boys in grades 6 – 8. This program will run from January 8 to February 8 and will consist of practices and six matches against other area middle schools. The practices and home wrestling matches will be held at the Hudsonville Christian Elementary West Gym. All experience levels are welcome, whether you have wrestled before or not! The cost to participate is $80, and the deadline to register is December 20. Please go to Unity Christian High School (unitychristianathletics.org) under Camps and Clinics for more information/schedule and an on-line registration link.
