HOME COMMUNICATOR
There are six days until Christmas, and in case you didn’t know, the students are ready with anticipation! All of HCS is ready. The smiles are bigger. The joy is tangible. The classrooms are high-spirited. This week is full of class parties and potluck lunches. Christmas-themed games are occuring in P.E., students are caroling in classrooms, and even a few Wisemen wander the halls. Donations are being collected in every grade as students excitedly love their neighbors as themselves.
This is Christmas!
”Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
Psalm 34:3 NIV
Everything we do at HCS is for Christ, regardless of the time of year. Yet, I love witnessing how much more Christ is magnified in this season. So, while we eagerly anticipate a well-deserved break, my hope for myself, HCS, and you is that we magnify this big, miraculous event. May we intentionally magnify Christ in these hallways and our homes over the next six days and into the new year. He is the Messiah—the One we waited for! Whether you are experiencing the merry and bright or a bleak midwinter season, God is our living water. May He fill you “…with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
Merry Christmas!
Devon Brinks
Superintendent
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Unity Busing
Wednesday, December 20 – Friday, December 22 Unity will run combined routes in the afternoon. Please see the email from Doug VanderPloeg to see how your route will be affected. The afternoon shuttle to Unity will not be running, morning routes will run as normal.
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.
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 Open House 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 before school in the mornings and during recess starting in January! If you are able to help please sign up HERE.
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 and Thursday. 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.
- Dean Ritsema “Love Letters from God” chapel – Tuesday, December 19.
- Student Praise Team leading Chapel – Thursday, December 21.
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be Chick Fil A sandwich/$4.50 each.. Pop/chips sold $.50 each. The full menu/schedule is listed on our website.
Middle School Homework Page
Parents, as a reminder here is a link to the grade level homework documents. You can access these through our website under the ‘Current Families’ tab.
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.
Sixth Grade Medieval Unit
Sixth graders have received their roles for Medieval Day which is scheduled for Friday, January 12, 2024. Parents are invited to the costume parade from 8:00 to 8:45 that morning. If you can help during Medieval Week when we return after Christmas break, check out the schedule and sign up at: MEDIEVAL UNIT PARENT HELP.
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.
PARENTS' CLUB NEWS
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
Because Parenting Matters
We invite you to a morning packed with energetic, engaging, and knowledgeable speakers. Harbor Churches would love to host you on January 27, 2024 at Fair Haven Church for a morning where you will find yourself encouraged, supported and cheered on as we do some of the most important work there is: raise children. This conference was created to equip parents with kids of all ages and in many different family situations. Our mainstage teaching will give parents practical and relevant tools to implement in their homes. In addition, we will host several breakouts to give specific teaching for various situations and parenting stages. It’s a great opportunity to get equipped to care for your family at every stage. We will also have a panel where your specific questions will be addressed and talked through. Check out our website for more information and our breakout session lists! $15 includes conference admission, snacks, and other goodies!
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.
Employment Opportunity
Unity Christian High School has several teaching positions open for the 2024-25 academic year. If you or someone you know is looking for a new teaching opportunity, please visit Unity’s website (www.unitychristian.org/connect/EmploymentOpportunities ) for more details and instructions on how to apply. Positions available are: Full time – Science, Spanish, STEM; Part time – Industrial Arts, Art.
Hudsonville Little League
Hudsonville Little League 2024 Spring Registration is open. Deadline is January 14 for most divisions (available space only following). Eligibility is based on home address, school address, or having played in the league prior.All Students attending Hudsonville Christian Elementary, Middle School, or Unity High School are eligible. Visit www.HudsonvilleLittleLeague.com Questions? registrations@HudsonvilleLittleLeague.com
