HOME COMMUNICATOR
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had the privilege of hosting some visitors from other schools who were interested in learning about our new English Language Arts curriculum in the elementary school. They’ve heard positive things about the curriculum and our work with it, and we were honored to open up our classroom doors to share what we’ve learned in our implementation phase this year. One thing that has surfaced in these conversations was how much I reminded our teachers to “trust the process.” We joke about it being my mantra, but it remains true. Whenever we are struggling with something new in education, we have to trust that the methods and systems put into place to facilitate growth will lead to student growth through consistent effort over time.
”"What a great assurance we have knowing that we can trust God’s process and perfect timing."
Trusting the process requires a trust in the methods and approaches being used, requires patience and persistence, resilience when facing challenges, collaboration with colleagues, and a focus on growth and improvement. These strategies apply to many areas of our lives, but I am continually reminded of the trust we place everyday in our Creator. We have confidence that His ways are perfect, that the outcome is always the way it was intended, and an assurance that helps us develop patience and resilience in the process. Sometimes we need a reminder to trust God’s process, though the days may feel hard and the waiting, long. Trusting God’s process is acknowledging that He knows what is best for us, and that His timing is always perfect, even if it doesn’t align with our own expectations.
While our human efforts to trust the process sometimes fail, what a great assurance we have knowing that we can trust God’s process and perfect timing. What a blessing it is to live together in Christian community at HCS, and to see God’s timing unfold in all of the details as we continue to trust in Him.
Partnering with you,
Jen Rysdam
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
ALL-SCHOOL NEWS
Walkathon
Walkathon is Friday! If your child has not turned in their envelope and pledge form please have him/her do so tomorrow! Grades Y5-8 will be at Unity’s Athletic Track on 48th Avenue. We are asking that all students bring a water bottle to the track and wear their HCS t-shirt. We will have water jugs available if refills are necessary. Thank you to all the parents who have signed up to tally laps for grades 4th-8th. We cannot do this without you!! All parents are welcome to walk with or cheer the students on. Please remember 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. Encourage your child to do their best, not be the best! Thanks for your hard work in getting pledges, we are looking forward to a great day on Friday!
Check the following schedule so you know when your child is walking:
Board Buses Walk
Grades 6, 7 8:00 8:15-9:00
Grade 4, 5 9:00 9:15-10:00
Grades Y5, K & 8 09:45 10:15-11:00(Seavers & Lubbers)
Grades K 1 10:45 11:15-12:00(Delong, Ymker & Yonker)
Grades 2, 3 12:15 12:30-1:15
Early Release
Next week Friday, May 3 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.
2024-2025 Enrollment – due April 26
If you intend to partner with HCS in Christian education next school year, please take the time to fill out the needed information to ensure enrollment for 2024-2025. Parents of currently enrolled Kindergarten – 7th grade students (those going into 1st – 8th grade for the 2024-2025 school year) please complete this online enrollment form 2024-25 Enrollment Form. If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the enrollment and emergency contact forms, please let Linda Kellar in the admin office know (lkellar@4hcs.org) and forms will be mailed to you. Enrollment (online and paper) forms and enrollment fees are due this Friday, April 26. Thank you for your partnership in Christian education as we strive to challenge minds and lives for Christ!
Kids’ Corner Enrollment
Kids’ Corner enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open! We will do our best to honor family requests in light of staffing ratios and room capacity, and we will let you know about placement by May 15. You may use this link to enroll: 2024-2025 Kids’ Corner Enrollment Form. If you have any questions, you can reach out at kidscorner@4hcs.org
Job Opportunities-7th Grade Science; General Music; Choir Accompanist
7TH GRADE SCIENCE
The Middle School at Hudsonville Christian School is seeking applicants for a full-time 7th-grade teacher with primary teaching responsibilities of Bible and Science for the 2024-2025 school year. Interested applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in education with a Science certification. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working with middle schoolers, is team-oriented, and has a strong love for our Lord and Savior. If you or someone you know are interested in joining our dedicated and passionate staff, please complete the application form. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please reach out to middle school principal, Mr. Chris Achterhof. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 26, 2024.
MUSIC TEACHER
The Middle School is looking for someone to teach two General Music classes next school year. Classes will be taught every other day after lunch (MWF one week, and TTh the next, from approximately 12:15-2:40) to 6th and 8th graders. This is a part time position.
ACCOMPANIST
The Middle School is looking for someone to accompany the choirs during their rehearsals throughout the year. Hours are flexible, but will likely be 8-10 hours a week. This person is passionate about music and can support choir director Anna Schreur by playing the piano and helping teach our choir students.
If you are interested in any of these positions, or know of someone who is, please contact middle school principal, Mr. Chris Achterhof.
Parent Volunteering for Next School Year
Later this week all HCS parents/guardians will receive an email explaining the volunteer requirements, opportunities and sign-up process for the 2024-25 school year! Then, on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM volunteering opportunities will open for signups. With hundreds of volunteer opportunities available, you are sure to find something that you will enjoy! You can find more information about the Parents’ Club volunteering on our website.
Staff Appreciation Week May 6-10
All HCS Parents AND Students: Since we certainly appreciate our HCS Teachers and Staff, the Parents’ Club Board would like to invite all HCS parents and students to express your appreciation for them during the week of May 6-10.
Piano Needed
As we begin moving into the new addition at the middle school, we are looking for a piano to be added to the new choir room. If you have a piano that is in good shape that you are looking to get rid of, please contact Anna Schreur (aschreur@4hcs.org) with details.
Camp Crazee Fun 2024
Mr. Los, our elementary PE teacher, invites all students entering 3rd – 8th grade to participate in Camp Crazee Fun June 3-6. Forms have been handed out to students and the form is also available HERE. Invite your friends and neighbors to join too! Camp is located in our West gym and includes all kinds of great group games. Please turn the completed registration form in at the office by May 31. Any questions email Mr. Los at – dlos@4hcs.org
Moms in Prayer
Due to the walkathon, Moms in Prayer is canceled on Friday, April 26.
Scrap Metal Drive
A Scrap Metal Drive will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and May 11, to benefit the Education Foundations of Unity Christian High School and Hudsonville Christian School. The drive will be held at the Arrowaste Storage Lot, 1600 Chicago Dr, Jenison from 1pm-8pm on Friday and 8am-2pm on Saturday.
ELEMENTARY NEWS
Chapel
This week we will have a special walkathon chapel in the west gym at 8:15 am on Friday, April 26. 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.
2nd Grade STEM Activity
If you have a 2nd grader who enjoys creative thinking, problem solving, and working with others to accomplish a goal, this is the opportunity for them! 2nd grade students are invited to participate in an after school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activity on Wednesday, April 24. We will meet in the Elementary library after school and will be finished at 4:00. The cost, which covers materials and a snack, is $2 and can be paid at the STEM class or sent in ahead of time (LABELED PLEASE) to your child’s teacher. Go to the sign up genius to register your child. The STEM activity is limited to the first 24 students. We would also appreciate the assistance of a few parent volunteers. If you are willing to help, please sign up in the parent slot on the form. Registration for this opportunity closes TODAY! April 23 or when all the available spots are filled.
Incoming 5th & 6th Grade Students/Parents Hot Lunch Survey
In middle school hot lunch is offered one day a week, on Wednesdays, beginning on September 18th. This is an optional opportunity for your child to purchase pizza, Chick Fil A, and Mr Burger Please look for a schedule at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. A very important part of ‘how’ we make hot lunch work is student surveys on what they will and will not purchase. NEW THIS YEAR- Entering 5th and 6th grade students must complete this survey with their parents. A paper copy is available that can be filled out and returned to the middle school office or emailed to Kim Racey at kracey10@gmail.com. Please complete this survey even if you do not plan to participate in hot lunch. Forms must be filled out or returned by MAY 30, 2024.
Summer Tutoring
A list of teachers that are available for summer tutoring can be found on our website.
Lost and Found
Our elementary lost and found is bursting with 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 at the end of the school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
Chapel
Students and staff gather in the south gym for chapel each Tuesday & Thursday from 7:55-8:25 AM. 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.
- Mike Broersma leading chapel – Tuesday, April 23.
- Walkathon chapel – Thursday, April 25.
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch this week Wednesday will be Jets Pizza Cheese/Pepperoni ($2.50/slice)Pop and chips are sold for $.50 each. The full menu/schedule is listed on our website.
Current 6th Grade Students
Just a reminder, there are additional immunizations required for incoming 7th grade students prior to starting 7th grade next year. An email with additional information including which immunizations are needed was sent out last week. We wanted to give you a heads up so that you can keep this in mind when scheduling your child’s future appointments. Contact the Middle school office with any questions 616-379-0338.
Robotics
Current 6th grade students and parents interested in the 7th-12th grade robotics club next year are invited to join us on April 30th at 7:00 in the elementary band room to learn about robotics and next year’s game. Questions regarding robotics can be sent to robotics@4hcs.org.
Sus Manos Gleaners
Any middle school student can sign up to serve at this link: SUS MANOS for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24. This will be the final after-school opportunity. So far this school year our HCMS students have served there 16 times and have processed food that has gone to Ukraine, Romania, Haiti, Mexico, Philippines, Turkey, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza! What a blessing!
Solo and Ensemble Congratulations
Congratulations to the following students for performing in Solo and Ensemble this past Saturday, April 20 at Northpointe Christian. All students medaled receiving the top scores of a 1st or 2nd Division rating. Way to represent Hudsonville Christian so well!
For Orchestra: Jessica Kamps, Layla Fuller, Carolyn Buller, Mackenzie Avink, Sarina Beard, Olivia Vredevoogd, Lily Boverhof, Evie Faasse, Jasmine VandenHoek, Kayla Ymker, Joanna VanderMolen
For Band: Sophia Bronson, Molly Netz, Katherine Gates, William Eggebeen, Caden Ypma, Landon Norman, Allison VanderLoon, Jacob Oosterouse, Ellisyn VerPloegh, Kiersten Avink.
Faces and Our Culture Program
Our school has been part of an amazing cultural exchange program for Guatemalan students for years, and we’re excited to keep it going! Faces And Our Cultures provides Guatemalan students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in our community for eight enriching weeks. Throughout the years, our campus has welcomed some Guatemalan students, many of whom have created a special bond with their host families.
To become cultural ambassadors, participants undergo a thorough selection process and extensive preparation throughout the year. Each child will be matched with a student close in age and same gender.The host family provides homestay for 8 weeks, making them part of the routine, activities, rules, curfews, house chores as another member of the family. Hudsonville Christian provides lunches, school materials, and school-related activities. For those interested in learning more about the Faces program, please register here and join us for an in-person informational meeting with Sandy Cardona, Program Coordinator scheduled for: Monday, May 20th, 10:30 a.m.
EOCS 8th Grader Mixer
Please save the date: April 26 for a night of bowling and bonding!
Location: Hudsonville Lanes
Time: 7:15-9:15 pm
Cost: $10 per student (shoes and all the bowling you can for 2 hours)
Food: Up to each student. Bring $ as the snack bar will be open.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Nifty 50’s Drive-In Diner
The Nifty 50’s Drive-In Diner will be open at Zutphen CRC (3223 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI) this Friday, April 26 at 5:00 pm! Drive your classic car or new car to the Diner and enjoy music and great food! Drive into the lower parking lot to order, and be served by our 50’s styled servers! The menu includes hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, French fries, shakes, malts, and ice cream sodas! All proceeds go to the Youth Guatemala Mission Trip in June. If you have questions, please call the office at 616-896-9709 or email office@zutphencrc.org.
Unity Christian Sports Physical Night
Unity Christian will host a Sports Physical Night on Tuesday, April 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the high school. A sports physical is required for all 7th and 8th grade Unity Christian Youth Football athletes. Per MHSAA rules, all students who wish to participate in athletics next year must provide school with a physical dated after April 15, 2024 PRIOR to tryouts/practice for their first sport. 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 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 main office.
Unity Christian Youth Football for Grades 3 – 8
Registration for Unity Christian Youth Football is now open! We will have 3rd/4th grade team(s), 5th/6th grade team(s), a 7th grade team, and an 8th grade team. Practices for 3rd-6th grades will begin on August 12 and grades 7&8 will begin on August 19. To plan accurately for the number of teams we will have in the fall, we ask that you register your player by June 1. For more information and to register online, click HERE. Feel free to contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 orathletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
Unity Christian Musical Theater Camp
Musical Theater Camp will take place at Unity Christian High School June 3-6 from 3-5pm for 5th – 8th grade guys and girls! Learn musical songs and how to sing in parts while being expressive, acting and blocking skills that will help you in future Unity auditions and productions, and common dance moves from Unity and Broadway shows. Sign up on Unity’s website. Registration is open until May 17. Payment can be made online via credit or debit card. No prior musical or theater experience required!
Unity Christian Summer Sports Camps
Registration for Unity’s Summer Sports Camps for students ages 3 – 12th grade is now open! The registration link and schedule of camps can be found at unitychristianathletics.org under “Camps & Clinics”. Please contact Unity’s Athletic Office at 669-1820 or athletics@unitychristian.org with any questions you may have!
- Register between April 10 – May 8 – Receive a 15% multi camp discount on four or more camp registrations and can pay by check/cash (due May 15) or credit card.
- Register between May 9 – June 5 – Only credit card payment accepted.
- Register June 6 or after – $10 late registration fee and only credit card payment accepted.
- Please register your child in the grade they will be entering in fall of 2024.
New this Summer!
- Boys Volleyball Camp from July 15-18 for 6th-8th graders (12 – 2 p.m.) and 9th – 12th graders (2:30 – 4:30 p.m.).
- Speed & Agility Camp for boys and girls in grades 6 – 8. The camp will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 11 – July 25 (excluding July 2 & 4; boys meet from 9-10 a.m., girls from 10-11 a.m.). In this camp participants will work on improving their ability to run faster and change direction. Workouts will consist of sprinting, plyometrics (jumping), strength training, and reaction drills. Participants will take a pre and post-test in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and pro agility, with results showing their improvement as they prepare for sports in fall 2024.
Employment Opportunity
Post Family Farm in Hudsonville is looking to hire energetic ADULTS for seasonal work for our spring season. Our Spring season runs from May 1, 2024 – May 18, 2024. Opportunities include donut makers, tour guides, and Saturday festival workers. Donut making involves working with several others in our bakery making donuts, filling orders and running the cash register. Tour guides take a group of children, teachers and parents around the farm both on and off a tractor (training provided). Festival workers may work in donuts, office, tickets or drive tractors to the pumpkin patch. No previous experience is required for any position. Work days and hours are very flexible to fit your schedule. Please contact Julie at Post Family Farm, if you have any interest in working in a fun, farm atmosphere. Phone – 616/669-1964, email – tours@postfamilyfarm.com.
